Jury Duty

**pop058** · 27th October 2013, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by 87County

While it is a community service to actually serve on a jury, only a minority of those empanelled will ever have to do so. Beyond genuine legal reasons for not serving there are many techniques (legal and dodgy) that people who are drafted employ to achieve their rejection by counsel.

In NSW, the panel is made up in local areas for a period of time by a random choice (lottery ?) from the electoral roll.

The people I really feel for are sole traders (e.g. sub-contractors) who have deadlines and customers' expectations to meet, and for whom there is no replacement in their business - unfortunately this has never been a reasonable excuse for not serving.

By the way the pay is a pittance, but people with some jobs (like public servants) get their usual pay.

In many ways, from the POV of the juror, it is not an equitable system.

I recently (within the last month) got picked and applied for an exemption on the basis I am a sub-contractor and cannot afford to be without income for the expected 10 day duration of the trial.

The cutoff date passed last week, so I assume I am out

**Eevo** · 27th October 2013, 10:06 AM

If i get called up they defendant is automatically guilty.
I have just shown I'm bias and therefor nt suitable for duty

**mick88** · 27th October 2013, 10:16 AM

Have been called for jury service on two occasions, wasn't able to attend on one as I was going to be out of the country.
On the second I attended but didn't meet the "selection criteria" and got turned away. I was looking forward to it as it was to be an interesting case.
I have been in the witness box several times over the years for work related cases......mainly Coroners Court and Supreme Court, all murder trials.
Interesting to say the least. Some of the poor jurers must walk away traumatised after viewing some the photographs that are presented as evidence!

Cheers, Mick.

**Ferret** · 27th October 2013, 12:02 PM

I've been called up twice.

Both times locked in room with a bunch of people I didn't know, given a sandwich after about 3 hours and then 2 hours after that told to go home.

I guess the all crims must have just confessed on those particular days.

drifter · 27th October 2013, 03:21 PM

My wife was recently required to attend for selection.

The prosecution 'person' (think of another word starting with 'p') said "No - she is a grandmother" and she was sent home. And 6 weeks later was sent a cheque for $66.

The trial she was rejected for? 3 guys on trial for attempting to murder a younger guy.

Can't see how being a grandmother would be a problem.

I was called once in NZ but was waived because I was a sole trader and selection would have ruined my income. Same clause applies here.

**123rover50** · 27th October 2013, 05:09 PM

Well beats me. We have been on the electoral roll since returning from PNG in 1980. My wifes been a JP Qualified for years I have a beard but no tats and we lean a bit to the right but they wouldnt know that.
Maybe its because we belong to a bunch of shooting clubs and own a heap of guns that we are not called up.
Who knows

**pop058** · 27th October 2013, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by 123rover50

Well beats me. We have been on the electoral roll since returning from PNG in 1980. My wifes been a JP Qualified for years I have a beard but no tats and we lean a bit to the right but they wouldnt know that.
Maybe its because we belong to a bunch of shooting clubs and own a heap of guns that we are not called up.
Who knows

They may know you own an Isuzu Kieth

**bob10** · 27th October 2013, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by drifter

My wife was recently required to attend for selection.

The prosecution 'person' (think of another word starting with 'p') said "No - she is a grandmother" and she was sent home. And 6 weeks later was sent a cheque for $66.

The prosecution will try to bar all those who they think will have a mindset to have a negative outlook for their client. Is that right, & fair? Perhaps not, does the Law protect the honest citizen? Good question. Bob

**JDNSW** · 27th October 2013, 07:00 PM

Been called in once in my life - spent a day, then dismissed, apparently too highly educated!

**123rover50** · 27th October 2013, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by pop058

They may know you own an Isuzu Kieth

Thats it.....
But that comes with the beard anway.
Or is it the other way round

Thread: Jury Duty

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