Civic Duty: I've been called!

How exciting!! First week of March I have been called to perform my civic duty and attend Crown Court for jury service.

I can recall my own mother being called and taking the role exceptionally seriously, setting out in her "best" coat - I remember because she wore a brooch in the shape of a flower and the centre opened to reveal a cream perfume. She would open it up, invite us to 'smell' then thrust it on the end of our noses so our nose got a coating of the perfume Anyway, I digress - Full of beans she was, only to be turned down at the first hurdle when the defence team rejected her as a jury member for that trial. She was so disappointed (bless her!).

And here we are now: my turn! (wish I could remember where I put that brooch of hers - or, maybe not. Probably rotten as eggs by now ).

I'd actually forgotten until this morning with so much other stuff preoccupying my thoughts, but, now I've remembered, and it is drawing closer ... ? Wish me luck!

 

Good luck Mum...i'm sure you'll do a top job

Ps....i remember those brooches the scent was lovely....

 

Don't get banged up for contempt of court mind

 

Oooh - Me too ! First week of April @ Swindon ; they had intially requested the first week of March but Im in the USA so had to put them off.

Timing could be better 'cos we are really stupidly busy at work, but should be interesting to find out how these things work.

 

Hi "M",
nice to have you back here with us. It sounds a very interesting calling and I know you will give it your best shot.
Would appreciate it if you can keep us informed _ within the constraints of the Judiciary process of course.
Jenny
was beginning to wonder if you'd hitched a lift on the Ark

 

I'd love to do jury service, wish you could volunteer cos I'm fed up waiting to be called

 

Oh I have my ark all set up and ready to rock and roll via my loft space (and that is only 20% joking .... who thought building on marsh land would be a *good* idea? )

I will definitely keep you informed (albeit *after* the event .... love you all dearly, but, not enough to "serve time" for ) My biggest worry is: being rejected at the first hurdle (like my mother was) because I genuinely feel I have something of value to give. But, equally, if I am "discarded", I won't take it personally (like my mother - bless her - did, but with a philosophical attitude )

@shiney oh do come and sit in the gallery: what a hoot that would be!!!!! You'd get to see me with my serious head on (not a pretty sight unless I caught your eye, then I'd be thinking of you and Mrs Shiney and your garden and your welcoming natures and ... then I would get a fit of the giggles reminiscing over last year - perfect excuse for me to plead ... insanity )

 

Quite
xMx

 

I'd hate to be in the dock, and my fate hang on 12 people who had been press ganged in to sitting through my case and then being told by a very highly paid professional, (the judge), what I was supposed to think.
The whole set up seems like some kind of farce to me.

You are only there to take the can back, should the verdict turn out to be wrong at a later date.
That way the judge is off the hook.

Why is he called a "judge" when he wants 12 ordinary people to do the job for him

 

I haven't been "press ganged" (or, if I have, I don't feel that way!) and I am willing to take my part. Even if I did feel I was press ganged into it, I could harness that opportunity to put spokes in the wheel for the sheer hell of it; IF I was that way inclined. However, as my mother before me, I do see it as a responsibility - not one to be mocked or taken lightly. After all, there are peoples lives at stake on both sides! I would hope I am able to participate in an appropriate manner , which includes a fair evaluation of the facts and to do so without prejudice.

Of course a Judge can tell me the moon, by statute, is made of cream cheese - that is his prerogative! However, whether *I* judge that to be the case is for *me* to decide - therein lies my role!

If the jury is only there to carry the can ... then why are judges held accountable at a "later date"? They are human; they are one voice: a jury is made up of 12 (and only "guided" by a judge - I see that as a bonus from the defendants point of view )

A judge is never "off the hook" in my opinion: their future status is determined by their record (or do I have that wrong?)

 

When was the last time a judge was reprimanded, for being too harsh or too lenient, they are above the law, they are part of the "old boys network".

Has one ever been sacked, or in these circles, I should say, asked to resign.

They dont even obey the rules of the road when leaving court around here, the judges official car does not go around the one way system like the rest of us have to.
They actually get a police escort which takes them across a central reservation, holding up rush hour traffic in the process.

One law for them, and one for the rest of us.

Its Ok, maybe you dont feel press ganged "M", but you should have the choice to decline, it is supposed to be a "free country", but we know its not.

 

I was called for jury service last year but after all the initial introduction was 'rejected'. It's not a nice feeling for whatever reason and what makes it worse is you don't find out why. One of the lawyers probably didn't like the look of my ugly mug! Those of us that didn't get chosen for the jury were told we'd more than likely be called again within two years.