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Done it twice now - both times foreman - one murder, one drugs. An interesting insight into some of the legal processes and I think I did ok in my role - managing the lively deliberations of the jury wasn't always straightforward, but I was thanked by fellow jurors anyway.
I've done it too. I found it very interesting. But the quality of the discussion, and the verdict, depends very much on the individual strengths and experiences of the jurors. Every jury has a couple of hang-em and flog-em characters, which are hopefully offset by the more thoughtful ones.
One case I was on, an African minicab driver was being so obviously fitted up by the cops that it was embarrassing. But one juror actually said, "Well, he must have done something, otherwise the police wouldn't have nicked him, would they?"
Done it once & should’ve done again but got out of it due to work load & my boss wrote to them, it is boring due to waiting to get called & once you do you hope for an interesting case, my two cases was boring, wouldn’t put yourself up for foreman, pay is crap & vouchers for for food, well it was when i went to borough court
Done it once some 15 years ago. Rape case. Very difficult as despite testimony from both sides (he never denied what happened, just that it was consensual as she was a prostitute but she said she didn't offer the full service and he forced himself) and the evidence provided, which didn't actually help anything either way. 5 days boiled down to basically his word against hers. Both sides of the story were plausible.
In the end a verdict of not guilty had to be given. Not because we didn't think he did it but because it could not be proven he did. This is why we need the Scottish system of Guilty (definitely did it) / Not Guilty (definitely did not do it) / Not proven (could not be proven they did it but there's enough to suggest they may have).
This is why our good friend 'JT' crowed "see, see, I told you I didn't do it" when he got a verdict of not guilty. No John, the verdict wasn't saying you didn't do it, it was that it could not be wholly proved you did.
A verdict of Not Proven would still have cast doubt on him.
This is how to do it. Well, not really, to be honest...
"Things had started becoming increasingly desperate at Loftus Road but QPR have been handed a massive lifeline and the place has absolutely erupted. it's carnage. It's bedlam. It's 1-1."
I've done it too. I found it very interesting. But the quality of the discussion, and the verdict, depends very much on the individual strengths and experiences of the jurors. Every jury has a couple of hang-em and flog-em characters, which are hopefully offset by the more thoughtful ones.
One case I was on, an African minicab driver was being so obviously fitted up by the cops that it was embarrassing. But one juror actually said, "Well, he must have done something, otherwise the police wouldn't have nicked him, would they?"
Yes exactly my experience. One was like being Henry Ford in 12 Angry Men. Fascinating and disturbing in equal measure.
Yes exactly my experience. One was like being Henry Ford in 12 Angry Men. Fascinating and disturbing in equal measure.
Get picked all the fkg time, too.
Done it 20 years ago at Basildon aka Baz Vegas, shock horror it was a drugs case, in court then ‘point of law’ everybody out, return then ‘point of law’, then will return tomorrow, then case dismissed for a re trial, no wonder the judicial system is so expensive, a complete waste of time! Ps The geezer was guilty as fcuk
Was called up 3 times in a decade - 2 at Snaresbrook, one at OB. At OB did not get a case at all and was dismissed on the Tuesday. Of second week.
Various cases at Snaresbrook; most interesting (but shocking) was a kidnapping. Very sad all round and in the end we acquitted but he had already pled guilty to USI. All occurring round about near where I lived. Certainly opened my eyes to the most troubling / troubled sections of society.
First day and a half was torture as wasn't on a case, just waiting around. Then got on 3 cases over the remainder of the two weeks and found the whole process really interesting. Got to be the foreman and stand up to state the verdict on the last case. Used to laugh at how the judges would always look for the first opportunity each afternoon to adjourn for the day.
First case was a woman accused of nicking a pair of earrings worth 13 quid from a shop. I was wondering what the hell that was even doing in a crown court. We let her off
It helped that there were a couple of good blokes on the jury with me including a QPR fan, so lunch breaks were spent in the pub, sometimes alongside the crims on trial in other court rooms.
It was also profitable. They covered your salary but paid the gross rather than the net amount, plus travel and food allowance.
Done it once some 15 years ago. Rape case. Very difficult as despite testimony from both sides (he never denied what happened, just that it was consensual as she was a prostitute but she said she didn't offer the full service and he forced himself) and the evidence provided, which didn't actually help anything either way. 5 days boiled down to basically his word against hers. Both sides of the story were plausible.
In the end a verdict of not guilty had to be given. Not because we didn't think he did it but because it could not be proven he did. This is why we need the Scottish system of Guilty (definitely did it) / Not Guilty (definitely did not do it) / Not proven (could not be proven they did it but there's enough to suggest they may have).
This is why our good friend 'JT' crowed "see, see, I told you I didn't do it" when he got a verdict of not guilty. No John, the verdict wasn't saying you didn't do it, it was that it could not be wholly proved you did.
A verdict of Not Proven would still have cast doubt on him.
I also wholeheartedly support the addition of the finding, 'not proven', in the English legal system.
Done it twice now - both times foreman - one murder, one drugs. An interesting insight into some of the legal processes and I think I did ok in my role - managing the lively deliberations of the jury wasn't always straightforward, but I was thanked by fellow jurors anyway.
Very difficult to get out of down here now - if work reason you need to offer alternate date when will be available. My last one was multiple dependent meth trial & was called - walked all the way up the court, turned and walked down jury box & just as about to sit a lawyer challenged me - could’ve hugged them! You know you should do your bit but risk of getting 2-3 weaker…
I've done it three times, all at Southwark Crown Court, the first time I did it I waited for a week and then ended up on a seven week trial. I loved it.
Other times, really bitty with just a few cases over the periods which wasn't half as interesting.
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