Jury Service

[igotdamaged]

Although I have never been selected for jury service, I was wondering if there is anything I could do to actually increase my chances of being selected? I have tried searching on the internet, but the only articles I can find are regarding being excused from service rather than the opposite! Can people actually apply to become jury members or is the process entirely random?

[andy hughes]

I know how you feel. A colleague of mine he served twice, and I'd love a go! I think by definition, the selection process has to be arbitrary, subject to certain perameters governing suitability, so we will just have to wait and hope.

[WaldoMcFroog]

You can make sure that you fill out your details on the electoral role, otherwise you won't be chosen. Incidentally, you do know that most people get to do deeply dull cases about, for instance, TV licencing fraud rather than a high profile, high interest case?

[igotdamaged]

Oh, I realise that the likelihood of me being selected to be on the jury of a major case is very slim - I'm not sure if a gruesome murder case would be particularly enjoyable anyway - but its not really that side of things that interests me. I would just like to experience the process once in my life, and as long as it is a random selection there is a chance that this will not happen.

[Sylday]

Your predicament is an excellent example of a "Catch 22" situation. The very fact that you want to serve on a jury may make you suspect in the eyes of the authorities, who probably regard "normal" as not wanting to serve. Any direct approach might therefore result in your being crossed off the list forever! Your best bet is to keep your head down, and simply wait.

[LeMarchand]

I've done it twice - the two occasions were within 2 years of each other! (I could have turned the second down, but was unemployed...). Anyway, it's pretty dull and involves a lot of sitting around. If you ever get selected take a book (or three).

[RevShirls]

Don't become a minister. Ministers never seem to get called for jury service. I'd love to do jury service too. I studied criminology and conducted research in a prison for a year as part of my post-grad studies at university. It was really fascinating. I guess ministers are considered as soft touches and too forgiving when it comes to jury service :)

[gerry]

I have only done Jury Duty the once & that was back in 1997.My case was intresting it was about an assault that had taken place & it went on for 5 days.

[Doolallygirl]

My mum is 51 and hasn't been called once yet!! My other friend got his service letter through his door on his 19th birthday! Doesn't seem fair! My sister is a trainee solicitor and I'm a legal secretary (well soon will be ;o)) so does that mean my chances are decreased?