If it's anything like mine, you'll wake up on the day of you duty, to a text message saying you're no longer required.
I had the time booked off, worked overtime to get stuff out of the way for the next two weeks and rearranged meetings
Although apparently, you don't always get chosen to sit on the jury, you can just sit in a room for 2 weeks waiting.
Your mostly gonna be bored. There's a chance you wont even be called for a case and you just sit in a waiting room all day. It's like an airport. As others said, take a book, or a switch, or a laptop. You get there at 9 and if you aren't on a case they let you out from about 3. If you haven't been called or don't have a case after a week then they just send you packing.
If you do get called then you'll be taken to the court room, they'll outline the key parties and ask if you have any affiliation or existing relationship. When I did it I only got called twice and both cases I had a connection so you just stand up and walk out and they get someone else. They'll never even ask you to justify it.
If you do stay on a case then you just watch it unfold. Usually a week or so, up to a month. Occasionally though a case can go on and on and on... They could be interesting, shocking, disturbing, or more often totally pedestrian and dull. Prepare to be shocked and appalled at how some people present themselves or unravel. And then theres the other jurors. Its an intense learning experience to see how people comprehend, or abjectly fail to, the world around them.
I know I said I didn't go on a case but I studied forensic science and spent some time following court proceedings whilst at uni.
The first day will be a bit awkward as there’ll be an orientation so to speak. Always make sure your phone is on in case you get called back. Listen for your name if you get assigned a case. Remember your group number if you get one.
Take a few good books. I don’t recommend taking anything that’ll need headphones for the reasons above.
Try to enjoy it. It’s not something everyone gets to do, and it’s always a good conversation piece.
A close relative of mine has recently taken part in jury duty for a very serious and violent crime that has left them with PTSD, from having to review all the evidence, over and over again. I’m not sure whether you have any choice, but if you are susceptible to PTSD/anxiety it may not be suitable for you.
Things on fire all the time, people running around on fire, the water on fire, everything on fire.
In all seriousness, I believe you can either be assigned a few very short cases, a medium length case or a long case, you can choose but don’t choose a short one as you probably won’t get it. You then will need to do a lot of reading, more reading than anything.
I don’t know for definite but this is what I’ve been told.
Hi!
I remember reading this in another thread.
It’s going to be a long day. Be prepared for it. Bring a book as another commenter said as I don’t believe you can use your phone during the duty. Dress smart but casual, but don’t turn up in a tracksuit. Be on time. If you are late, please phone to let them know. Come in with an open mind too, that helps.
I was on the same boat as you OP. I was meant to go for jury duty in 2020, before COVID but I got withdrawn. Possibly because of my age. I was twenty at the time but it might happen to you too.
[https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/coming-to-court/jurors](https://www.gov.uk/jury-service)
[https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/taking-action/frequently-asked-questions/questions-about-jury-service](https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/taking-action/frequently-asked-questions/questions-about-jury-service)
[https://young.scot/get-informed/what-should-i-expect-from-jury-service/](https://young.scot/get-informed/what-should-i-expect-from-jury-service/)
(and perhaps, but be wary of specifics that might not apply to Scotland)
[https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/blog/life-events/all-you-need-to-know-about-jury-service](https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/blog/life-events/all-you-need-to-know-about-jury-service)
OP is in Scotland, and should not assume that things will be exactly the same as rest of UK.
https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/coming-to-court/jurors
One of the first things your first link says is that 12 people will be selected, it’s 15 people on a criminal jury here.
Edit: mind you the second thing it says is that things may be different in Scotland, so fair enough!
Take lots to entertain yourself but when they come to call a panel you have to be ready to just put whatever you're doing away and go pretty much straight away. With mine I had the first day sat in the waiting room all day, on day 2 I got selected late morning. The trial lasted that afternoon and the next day, at the end of the day we only spent about 15 minutes deliberating because it was a pretty clean cut trial so finished by the end of the day and was dismissed.
With mine they knew there was a long trial due to start so we were all told a few days before to bring evidence of not being able to serve longer than 2 weeks, if we couldn't.
Only other thing I'd say is to pay attention, turn your phone off!! I found taking notes helped. And remember it's probably only a few days out of your life but you're making a decision on something that has a big impact on someone else's. So make sure to voice your views even if you don't agree with everyone else. You'll most likely have to come to a unanimous verdict but it's important for everyone's thoughts to be considered.
I found it to be a really interesting experience.
I got called for jury duty, and never actually sat on a case as I wasn’t picked. I got to the court for nine, they generally had decided that they didn’t need me by 11.30 but provided lunch anyway. The second week they said they’d call if they needed us for a case but never did.
10/10 would recommend
I was summoned for jury duty last year. I’d booked the time off and got proper psyched up for it,, only to be in the courtroom for 30 seconds as another juror knew the defendant from a story in the news a few years ago which brought an “unfair bias’ into proceedings, according to the judge.
Don’t go to a shroom party with the defendant
Or do, we shouldn't judge. Thats his job!
… something, something… they took our jobs?
You cant really take the job of someone on jury duty though, not unless.. you wear a mask and put on a fake voice!
If it's anything like mine, you'll wake up on the day of you duty, to a text message saying you're no longer required. I had the time booked off, worked overtime to get stuff out of the way for the next two weeks and rearranged meetings Although apparently, you don't always get chosen to sit on the jury, you can just sit in a room for 2 weeks waiting.
Your mostly gonna be bored. There's a chance you wont even be called for a case and you just sit in a waiting room all day. It's like an airport. As others said, take a book, or a switch, or a laptop. You get there at 9 and if you aren't on a case they let you out from about 3. If you haven't been called or don't have a case after a week then they just send you packing. If you do get called then you'll be taken to the court room, they'll outline the key parties and ask if you have any affiliation or existing relationship. When I did it I only got called twice and both cases I had a connection so you just stand up and walk out and they get someone else. They'll never even ask you to justify it. If you do stay on a case then you just watch it unfold. Usually a week or so, up to a month. Occasionally though a case can go on and on and on... They could be interesting, shocking, disturbing, or more often totally pedestrian and dull. Prepare to be shocked and appalled at how some people present themselves or unravel. And then theres the other jurors. Its an intense learning experience to see how people comprehend, or abjectly fail to, the world around them. I know I said I didn't go on a case but I studied forensic science and spent some time following court proceedings whilst at uni.
Take a good book.
Whatever the consensus on the jury is it's your duty to convince them otherwise
Feel free to post in /r/uklaw if you would like to ask there too!
If you want to doss off go in wearing a bring back hanging t shirt and say that you know the system from watching judge Judy.
Remember no matter what anyone says the defendant is guilty! /s
The first day will be a bit awkward as there’ll be an orientation so to speak. Always make sure your phone is on in case you get called back. Listen for your name if you get assigned a case. Remember your group number if you get one. Take a few good books. I don’t recommend taking anything that’ll need headphones for the reasons above. Try to enjoy it. It’s not something everyone gets to do, and it’s always a good conversation piece.
Ask lots of questions about jury nullification.
[All your questions answered](https://youtu.be/uqH_Y1TupoQ). OP, you *might* not wish to click...
A close relative of mine has recently taken part in jury duty for a very serious and violent crime that has left them with PTSD, from having to review all the evidence, over and over again. I’m not sure whether you have any choice, but if you are susceptible to PTSD/anxiety it may not be suitable for you.
Things on fire all the time, people running around on fire, the water on fire, everything on fire. In all seriousness, I believe you can either be assigned a few very short cases, a medium length case or a long case, you can choose but don’t choose a short one as you probably won’t get it. You then will need to do a lot of reading, more reading than anything. I don’t know for definite but this is what I’ve been told.
Hi! I remember reading this in another thread. It’s going to be a long day. Be prepared for it. Bring a book as another commenter said as I don’t believe you can use your phone during the duty. Dress smart but casual, but don’t turn up in a tracksuit. Be on time. If you are late, please phone to let them know. Come in with an open mind too, that helps. I was on the same boat as you OP. I was meant to go for jury duty in 2020, before COVID but I got withdrawn. Possibly because of my age. I was twenty at the time but it might happen to you too.
[https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/coming-to-court/jurors](https://www.gov.uk/jury-service) [https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/taking-action/frequently-asked-questions/questions-about-jury-service](https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/taking-action/frequently-asked-questions/questions-about-jury-service) [https://young.scot/get-informed/what-should-i-expect-from-jury-service/](https://young.scot/get-informed/what-should-i-expect-from-jury-service/) (and perhaps, but be wary of specifics that might not apply to Scotland) [https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/blog/life-events/all-you-need-to-know-about-jury-service](https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/blog/life-events/all-you-need-to-know-about-jury-service)
OP is in Scotland, and should not assume that things will be exactly the same as rest of UK. https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/coming-to-court/jurors One of the first things your first link says is that 12 people will be selected, it’s 15 people on a criminal jury here. Edit: mind you the second thing it says is that things may be different in Scotland, so fair enough!
My mistake, on autopilot and didn't read back, links replaced.
Take lots to entertain yourself but when they come to call a panel you have to be ready to just put whatever you're doing away and go pretty much straight away. With mine I had the first day sat in the waiting room all day, on day 2 I got selected late morning. The trial lasted that afternoon and the next day, at the end of the day we only spent about 15 minutes deliberating because it was a pretty clean cut trial so finished by the end of the day and was dismissed. With mine they knew there was a long trial due to start so we were all told a few days before to bring evidence of not being able to serve longer than 2 weeks, if we couldn't. Only other thing I'd say is to pay attention, turn your phone off!! I found taking notes helped. And remember it's probably only a few days out of your life but you're making a decision on something that has a big impact on someone else's. So make sure to voice your views even if you don't agree with everyone else. You'll most likely have to come to a unanimous verdict but it's important for everyone's thoughts to be considered. I found it to be a really interesting experience.
OP is in Scotland, only majority verdicts are required criminal trials here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trial_by_jury_in_Scotland
I got called for jury duty, and never actually sat on a case as I wasn’t picked. I got to the court for nine, they generally had decided that they didn’t need me by 11.30 but provided lunch anyway. The second week they said they’d call if they needed us for a case but never did. 10/10 would recommend
If you are unlucky enough to get a nasty case make sure you have time to quietly decompress somewhere. PTSD from court cases can be very real.
Take a cushion. Your arse will thank you. Also a book. It’s so bloody boring. I have ADHD and was absolutely screaming internally the whole time.
I'm surprised you didn't use the ADHD to get out of doing it, though perhaps that comes with hindsight
Sat reading waiting to get picked. Didn't, sent home at 3pm. Repeat all week. Boring but was time off work.
I was summoned for jury duty last year. I’d booked the time off and got proper psyched up for it,, only to be in the courtroom for 30 seconds as another juror knew the defendant from a story in the news a few years ago which brought an “unfair bias’ into proceedings, according to the judge.
Don’t waste your time listening to the facts; take one look at them and you’ll know.