Jury Duty v Booked Travel

[Deleted member 29185]

I've read a closed old thread relating to this question, so I'm just asking to see if there are any more recent experiences out there.

My other half has just received a jury duty notice (Qld jurisdiction), which spans a period of 1 month where we do have travel booked and paid for (airfares, accomodation etc). Any recent AFF member anecdotes to bolster or stymie our travel intentions by any chance?

 

[Pushka]

You should be fine to change the Jury dates. Husband did that (although his was an Olympic Games commitment. ) But write a letter and let them know you have non refundable travel and that you will be prepared to serve the next month or whenever. That way they know you will commit, just not when they want you to.

 

[drron]

Both mrsdrron and I have used that excuse here in QLD without problems.Basically it will be hard for them to catch me at home.

 

[nlagalle]

If travel is booked for then you can be excused. Just bring evidence in case you are asked.

 

[kpc]

Both mrsdrron and I have used that excuse here in QLD without problems.Basically it will be hard for them to catch me at home.

Why not the "Dr" excuse. BTW, I have never been asked.....

 

[drron]

Why not the "Dr" excuse. BTW, I have never been asked.....

Not accepted now in QLD.

 

[Mal]

Some travel insurance policies will cover this as well ... read the PDS.

Oh, and yes around 5 years ago, I did respond and tell them to fob off as I had booked travel. No response. The next time I just never got called up.

As I posted later in this thread, I'm now technically exempt (AFAIK) so shouldn't be an issue for me.

 

[zig]

Shouldn't be any problem if the travel is booked. I was exempted last month in NSW for the same reason. I did have to provide evidence of the flight booking.

 

[Shelf]

You should be fine to change the Jury dates. Husband did that (although his was an Olympic Games commitment. ) But write a letter and let them know you have non refundable travel and that you will be prepared to serve the next month or whenever. That way they know you will commit, just not when they want you to.

This seems like a logical manner to delay the jury service.

I'm permanently exempt

 

[Mal]

I'm permanently exempt

As am I (apparently! )

 

[juddles]

Just write them a letter saying you trust the police, so any defendant is clearly guilty, so can they simply give you instructions how to send a ¨guilty¨verdict by post.

 

[Pushka]

I was a former police officer and I don't think I am exempt, but I could certainly mess around in saying something like that juddles if I didn't want to stand on a particular trial.

 

[Boris spatsky]

I just got off in ACT by writing a letter. But also said happy to do it next month if required

 

[Hvr]

So how do you get to be permanently exempt?

>70, or have been on a previous trial that was so long the judge ordered that you be allowed to claim it? A convicted criminal?

Any other reasons?

 

[AVC]

Currently serving, or former, Police are not called for jury duty. Actually, all emergency services are exempt, and a few other professions, military, and of course those conviced of serious crimes.

So I'm exempt. Which is probably just as well, as I'd probably get bored to death.

 

[RWJ777]

Judicial officers and their families are also exempt.

I knew police were exempt; I didn't know other emergency workers were -- can't fathom why.

If you write to the Sheriff's Office and explain the circumstances, providing documentary evidence of conflicting engagements, they will usually let you off but likely put you close to the top of the lottery for other trials. If they don't let you off, when you go for what's called empanelling at the court, explain to the judge that you can't do it and he/she will invariably let you off. Be straightforward and honest and they'll usually cut you slack.

 

[Grooba]

I've been summonsed 3 times in the last 6 years and each time my office has written (standard template) to the Sheriffs Office and provided supporting documentation (flight bookings) and have been excused every time. Same with every other employee I know of in the firm.

Shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Thanks for all the advice. Letter has gone, now we wait to see the outcome.

 

[richie9x]

A few years ago I received a letter after returning home from a 3 month overseas trip. While I was away a jury duty letter arrived for jury duty that started two weeks before I arrived back. I rang them up about it, they just told me to send a letter explaining my circumstances. I sent the letter and didn't hear anything further about it.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Booked travel is a valid excuse, so you'll be fine telling them as it is. Although it obviously wouldn't work if you book the travel AFTER you've been called.