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Jury Duty
BastardBeaver
Posts: 11,903 Forum Member
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Has anyone on DS ever been called up for Jury service? And does anyone know the chances of actually being called up to do it? Is there anything you can do to increase your chances?
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There's a few threads on here about jury duty, here's one http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1644931&highlight=jury
Was told I wouldn't be needed again until the Monday of the second week, this time it was two blokes accused of assault, there were only 15 of us and I didn't get picked again so was quite dissapointed. Because my boss had put on the expenses form that I couldn't go back to work on days when I wasn't needed, as they had brought someone in to cover me, I got paid for a week off doing nothing, which was nice.
Even so, your chances of being called up are still very low and even if you are called you may spend the entire time reading a book rather than hearing any cases.
Oh and don't get a criminal record.
I haven't been called, not sure I particularly want to be. I'm training to be a barrister and I think I'd rather remain in blissful ignorance of what goes on in the jury room. That said, I can think of worse things to have to do, like going to a wedding.
Its what I would ask mine to do. Its one thing that I've never wanted to have to do.
"Jury service is a ‘civic duty’ and a number of people could be called to serve during their lifetime. Jury duty is unpaid, but you can usually claim for certain expenses up to a daily maximum amount. If you are selected for jury duty you must attend or you could face a fine of up to £1,000.
You could be summoned for jury duty if you are between the age of 18 and 70 years old, have lived in the UK for a period of five years since the age of 13, and are on the electoral register. There are certain groups who are not eligible for jury duty, including specified occupations like the police force, and people who have had a youth custody or prison sentence of five years or more, or of any duration in the past ten years. Any person who suffers from a mental disability or mental health condition will not be eligible for jury duty.
Your employer has to give time off for you to attend jury service, but is not obliged to pay you. You may claim for food and travel expenses from the court, and you can also claim for loss of earnings by asking your employer to complete a Certificate of Loss of Earnings. However, there are daily limits for expenses claimed. If you are self-employed, a letter from your accountant stating the daily loss of earnings or the last years’ tax return may be submitted to court."
So yes, but you have to prove it.
Correct, see second paragraph above.
There is an allowance for loss of earnings which rises the longer the case goes on. Someone on a high wage might end up out of pocket though if their own company didn't pay them whilst they were absent.
Before you start you get a form which your boss fills in, telling the court your average daily wage after tax and whether you can go back to work on half days or full days if you are not needed in court. You also get petrol, bus fares paid for and a daily allowance for dinner (about £6 per day).
Up to and including four hours – first ten days £32.47 per day
Up to and including four hours – between day 11 and up to day 200 £64.95 per day
Up to and including four hours – after day 201 £114.03 per day
Over four hours – first ten days £64.95 per day
Over four hours – between day ten and up to day 200 £129.91 per day
Over four hours – after day 201 £228.06 per day
Those are the maximums you can claim for lost earnings and other expenses. Frankly, after day 201 you should be put on the same rate as the barristers in my view.
And I was screwed over with my expenses because at the time I was working for an agency and didn't have a set pay.
DON'T DO IT!
I would be well out of pocket, and with a large mortgage to pay, would probably try and claim financial hardship.
I mean after five hours in court you might get to work just in time to go home, thus losing the whole day.
Before that (according to the article above) the longest trial record stood at thirteen months and ended in an acquittal.
The court pays you per day your average daily wage after tax, which is on a form filled in by your employer. If you are in court for over four hours, you get a full days pay.
However on the form your employer has to specify whether you can go back to work a) on half days and b) full days when you are not needed in court.
In my case the answer to both was no, so on my first day in court I was sent home after an hour and a half and got a full days pay. I also then got a full days pay for the rest of the week for each day I was sat at home not needed.
Bully for you. I'd rather get myself into work personally.
L.L. Idiot
Yes, justice is a real drag isn't it?