Jury Duty - A good experience.

[EvotingMachine0197]

Having recently completed jury service at the Central Criminal Court, I have to say it was a very educational and enjoyable experience.

My first reaction when I got the summons was to find a way to get out of it. As I didn't qualify for any of the statutory exemptions and had no other reasonable excuse, I showed up at the Four Courts, and on that first morning I was bricking it.

My anxiety very quickly turned out to be unnecessary, and I immediately began to enjoy the surroundings and the proceedings.

I would urge anyone who gets the opportunity to serve on a jury to go do it. It is an eye-opener in several respects and an all round memorable experience.

And it got me out of the office for a while...

[pauriceenjack]

A great experience if you are an employee not however if you are self employed

[qtman]

Having recently completed jury service at the Central Criminal Court, I have to say it was a very educational and enjoyable experience.

My first reaction when I got the summons was to find a way to get out of it. As I didn't qualify for any of the statutory exemptions and had no other reasonable excuse, I showed up at the Four Courts, and on that first morning I was bricking it.

My anxiety very quickly turned out to be unnecessary, and I immediately began to enjoy the surroundings and the proceedings.

I would urge anyone who gets the opportunity to serve on a jury to go do it. It is an eye-opener in several respects and an all round memorable experience.

And it got me out of the office for a while...

Fair play to you.

[johnfás]

Fair play EvotingMachine. More people need to be prepared to take on this vital civic responsibility. Mrs Justice Denham recently published a report highlighted the terrible state of our juries which presently include a majority of retirees and the unemployed. For those of us who would like to be tried by a jury of our peers, if the situation were ever to arise, it is necessary that citizens take on their duties as citizens and serve on juries.

That is not to say that the current support from Government for potential jurors is anywhere near sufficient to allow many people to fulfil this duty.

[krayZpaving]

There are plenty of ways to turn up and not get selected! In the CCC, you just have to wear a suit, shirt and tie and the defence will never allow you be empanelled.
T-shirt slogans can work too - "Drug Dealing Scum Should be Castrated" or "Free John Gilligan" will probably prevent you getting anywhere near an actual jury.

[Compound Fracture]

The trick is to say that you're prejudiced against all races......

[Destiny's Soldier]

Having recently completed jury service at the Central Criminal Court, I have to say it was a very educational and enjoyable experience.

My first reaction when I got the summons was to find a way to get out of it. As I didn't qualify for any of the statutory exemptions and had no other reasonable excuse, I showed up at the Four Courts, and on that first morning I was bricking it.

My anxiety very quickly turned out to be unnecessary, and I immediately began to enjoy the surroundings and the proceedings.

I would urge anyone who gets the opportunity to serve on a jury to go do it. It is an eye-opener in several respects and an all round memorable experience.

And it got me out of the office for a while...

I skipped mine because of a clash with a hair appointment...

I was in initially for the role call with a few hundred others and heard the people in court with their funny wigs referring to the Judge as HIS LORDSHIP. This is a load of ballsology to generate the illusion of justice and to intimidate the accused I expect.

His Lordship could have finished his tirate at the accused and said ... now lick the dirt off of my shoes and kiss my ring.

[pauriceenjack]

Under recent legislation you may refer to the beak as Judge or An Chuirt

You also dont have to wear the wig but some beaks do not like this

[fergalr]

I did it when I was 18. Week long case in the Central Criminal Court, with a night sequestered in the Spa Hotel in Lucan thrown in. Treated like kings we were
In all seriousness though, it was a great experience and I'd recommend that anyone called to serve would do it without recourse to the sick notes.

[corelli]

krayZpaving,

That comment is simply idiotic. Empanelling a jury in this country is not like the system people are familiar with in the US with loads of challenges to cause etc and experts employed to ascertain a persons likely views in advance. In practical terms the Prosecution or Defence rarely object to a jury member being empanelled.