h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I was summoned. Is Jury Duty compulsory in other parts of the world? It is in Australia.
There's something a bit strange about having to take the day off work, because you've been summoned. There's no choice, you have to be there. (Unless you've a really good excuse) I have nothing against Jury Duty, it has to be done by someone.
It just feels a bit weird to be told, don't go to work, be here on this day. It's like receiving orders, or something.

I was thinking about this post on the way home, and thought I was going to be really articulate. Sorry.

I arrived in the city at 9am. Not having to be at the court until 9.30 I did a walk around the block. Down William, up Lonsdale, up King, Down La Trobe. Back down William and into court. I arrived at 9.15, went through a metal detector. The security guys x-rayed my bag. They thought there was a pocket knife in there, and did it again. It turned out to be the batteries in my discman. I went through and and handed in my summons. They ticked me off, handed it back then directed me to the end of the corridor where the pool room is. There's actually a pool table in there, but no one played. There were tea and coffee facilities, but I left it for later. I sat down and pulled out my novel, and waited until they called for us.

I had dressed up, as had most people. One woman turned up in tracky-dacs and sneakers, and why not? I had on nice slacks, a salmon coloured satin shirt and a faux-suede bone coloured jacket. Not exactly conservative, but neat.

It was deathly quiet in the room. All I could hear were newspapers rustling, people breathing, and what I imagined to be the sounds of court in session off in some distant room. At 9.30am we were all called in to the lecture hall next-door.
We were told that the courts are closing down for a short break and they didn't actually need a jury today. The had to have a panel to provide back-up incase one of the cases needed a new jury, and that's why we were there. The Jury supervisor told us that she doubted we would be needed and would probably be discharged before noon.
I was surprised at the relief I felt on hearing this. I'm not sure whether I wanted to be on a Jury or not. I think I have a problem with not knowing what I'm doing in the immediate future. If you get on a Jury the average case goes 7 days, some longer some shorter. I didn't even know if I would have to attend until 4.15 yesterday afternoon. They make you ring the day before to see if you're still required.
I must have a thing about planning ahead, I like to have some idea of what's coming.

Well, after that little announcement we were shown a video on what to expect during Jury selection in a criminal case. I was surprised, and relieved to note that you don't have to swear on the bible. You can take an affirmation instead. (There's actually about 17 different religions you can swear on.) After the video, there was a little talk about civil cases, and how they're different. Then we were all sent back to the pool room to wait and see if we were going to be needed.

That room must be the most boring place on earth. The Jury supervisor said they tried to make it as nice as possible, and they have. There's comfy chairs, puzzles (the pool table) tea, coffee, biscuits. It's just soooo silent. I was reading a novel, the third in a really exciting trilogy, but had trouble concentrating. I desperately wanted to put my headphones on, just to hear some noise, but didn't for fear of missing the announcement. It was cold in there too. I guess I felt confined too, I remember thinking it's like I'd been given detention.

Finally the announcement came to go back to the the lecture hall. A court guy (don't know what his actual title was) thanked us all for coming. (Like we had a choice,) He said that it's only recently that they do things this way, that they used to make the back-up panel stay all day. After what seemed like a great deal many more words, he finally said he'd had word that we weren't needed and that we would all be discharged! We would all be recorded as having attended, and are exempt from call up for the next two years. It was 11am. We had to wait for our names to be called out, then we received our cheques and could go.

I walked out side and felt like I'd suddenly been set free!

The train ride back was great. I listened to 'Semisonic' on my headphones, but could still hear the sounds of the train and people around me. It's like the world had reset and gone back to normal.

yes dury duty is compulsory here to, when your summonsed! usully i'm in the dock rather than in the jury, so i won't be summonsed for jury duty!
most of my offences are for stupid things like dressing up a sheep and taking it into the local pub for a drink, home made fireworks, stuff like that! seeing just how far you can drive a car backwards, so far i've managed to get to 17 miles or 22 clicks. silly stuff really!

You didn't happen to take a picture of the sheep did you? You could've told the police that it was a kiwi!

sorry but no, I did'ent take a picture of the sheep! and steady on about kiwi's remember there not just for christmas, with a little luck there might be some left over for boxing day too!

I shouldn't pick on kiwis One of my favourite singers is a Kiwi.

You guys are having entirely too much fun.

I have served on two juries. The first time was when we lived in Texas. It was a drug case where the defendant claimed the police planted evidence and framed him. the second time was in Missouri. It was an arson case where the defandant claimed the insurance company planted evidence and framed him so they wouldn't have to [ay of the insurance claim.

If I ever have to serve again, I think I'll just stand up right off the bat and ask who planted the evidence.

H

i'm glad I'm having too much fun! Life too short!

Too much fun?! Never!!!

So Jury Duty in the US is compulsory? I know voting isn't, it is here.

That may be a good way not to get selected as a juror. Asking who planted the evidence!

i hear that voteing is compulsory in the downunder??

There are lots of ways to get yourself excused from jury duty. If you are over 65 you don't have to serve. Or if you are in certain jobs where it would be a hardship for you to miss work. Or if you are a caregiver.

So what happens if you don't vote? Do they write you a ticket or something?

h

We have can get excused from jury duty with similar sorts of excuses. The best one, is if you happen to know the defendant!

Yes, rev, voting is compulsory here.
H, I think you get fined if you don't vote. I'm not 100% on that one though.

Yes, we get fined for missing our democratic right to vote in another set of losers. My sister and I are actually awaiting a fine by mail any day soon for missing the lastest local elections...oh well, going to see a play was more fun than ticking off boxes on a tablecloth sized ticket.

Of course. I forgot that one. You can get excused if you know the defendant or the attorneys or maybe the witnesses. And you can always answer the questions in such a way that onw side or the other will challenge you.

"Madame, have you ever been defrauded by an insurance company?"

"Not to my knowledge." Wrong answer. You'll probably get picked for the jury.

"Of course not. All insurance companies are honest and only exist to serve me." Rejected by the defense.

"Who hasn't? They're all a bunch of crooks!" Rejected by the prosecution.

"I've never bought any insurance. I believe that God will protect me in times of crisis." Referred for counselling by the judge.

H

Nice responce, must remember that one next time i'm up in front the twat with the wig on! or three twats on a bench! hummm I wonder could that be the title of my next sermon!

Nice!

Unfortunately it won't work for me. Prospective jurors don't get asked questions here. What happens is your name and occupation is called out (sometimes just your number and occupation), you have to walk past the accused and head toward the jury box. During this the prosecution or defence can reject you, but they can't ask you questions.

Miztres, didn't you work at the last local election?

And why do they still wear those stupid wigs and gowns anyway? When we watched the video explaining what to expect, I nearly burst out laughing when I saw the judge. He was wearing a red and white robe with wig. He looked like Santa!
Imagine being judged by Santa

In the US they wear robes, but no wigs. The wigs do look silly. And don't they put on hats when they hand down a sentence? Sort of like priestly vestments, I suppose.

Being a judge must be frustrating. They know that half of the people in the courtroom are lying and the other half are stretching the truth. Not that the truth has anything to do with most trials. It is all about manipulating the system. The side that does the better job wins. Truth and justice are immaterial.

I was to work the election....but again, going to a play by the Bell Shakespeare Theatre Company or sitting at a foldup table for seven hours looking at hundred of others that don't want to be their either. Mind you, pays not bad and the work is definately not hard...but the play wins out everytime.

Miz, yeah that choice seemed to be a bit of a no-brainer. Was the play good?

H,I didn't realise they still wore robes. I agree with you about the court system. It seems whoever can make best use of legal loopholes, etc. wins.