Jury Duty v Booked Travel

[AVC]

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.
.

I'm tipping it's because it's cheaper to use someone from the private sector. In a lot of cases they have to replace ESOs with officers on overtime. Plus they don't want service delivery compromised.

 

[Mal]

BTW, in QLD - a person over 70 can get themselves back onto the selection pool - they just have to write to the Sheriff and ask to be added again. (Strange world hey, and I wonder how many people actually do it).

 

[tuapekastar]

Sorry to go mildly OT, but I worked for many many years as a permanent employee for several major companies which would have paid me full salary in the event of me performing jury duty, and never got the call. Just three months after striking out on my own as a contractor I received the first. A letter explaining I had bills to pay and if I attended court I received no income excused me. This happened two more times in the next few years. Same letter resurrected, same result. I would not mind being on a jury some time just to see what it is like, but not when I have to give up my income to do so.

I also recall reading where an employer got into trouble (contempt of court?) for writing a letter trying to justify non-attendance by one of his staff, which did not impress the judge. So it pays to be both careful and truthful if trying to do this (not that this is at all applicable in this case).

 

[Sprucegoose]

BTW, in QLD - a person over 70 can get themselves back onto the selection pool - they just have to write to the Sheriff and ask to be added again. (Strange world hey, and I wonder how many people actually do it).

Sounds like a good retirement hobby. Wander down to the court each morning, morning tea chats lunch etc. old people are wiser on the whole. Could be a winner I reckon


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[Major]

When I received a jury duty notice I wrote back explaining that I had a small business and my attendance would be a monetary imposition and may involve lost sales etc. I never heard another word and that was 5 years ago

 

[cma1957]

I had received a notice that I wouuld be called up for Jury Duty from some time April to July this year, but also had booked our holiday for late April to early May.

IN the form they send you there is a box to tick if youu want to posepone the date, there was also a space to fill in when you would be available to start Jury Dury. I am from Victoria...not sure if all the forms are the same!

 

[badseed]

A few years ago I attended jury duty, and got put in a selection pool for a ~ 2-week trial in the Melbourne County Court. However, I only got to take 2 steps towards the jury box before the defendants legal team rejected me.

Plenty of potential jurors were able to get out of it, but one notable exception was a school principal - he tried to explain to the judge that it could compromise service delivery - the judge was unmoved.

Given that I'll (hopefully) be admitted as a practicing lawyer next year, looks like I'll miss out permanently. As others have said, booked and paid for travel is definitely a legitimate excuse - even if it's refundable.

The actual day at the Court was great fun. Plenty of quiet areas to read, but social areas to play Pool / Chess etc. Met quite a few interesting people.

By the way, attempting to use the 'I trust the police, so I'll just assume any accused is guilty' will land you with a threat of contempt proceedings from most judges.

 

[djd]

I have just finished a month of jury duty in QLD and noticed that the sheriff was very strict about requiring documentary evidence of those requesting exemption.

 

[Musongman]

Seems every time I go away for a long period overseas, the summons arrives with dates etc, but I don't get it until weeks/months after the event. Then, the "Please Explains" arrive and I just fill in the form to say i was absent overseas, never show proof, and it is accepted.

 

[Ultimobo]

evidence of pre-existing booking - Re: Jury Duty v Booked Travel

I'm in NSW Sydney and got a Jury Summons in the mail last week for me to show up 3 October - checked the website which said I could get exemption if I could provide evidence of a pre-existing travel booking - went to friendly travel agent who said her husband had got such an exemption - I got her to print out my Amadeus booking details (you know all CAPITAL letters) where the second last line of one and a half pages shows the booking date of 04JUN12 - rang the sheriffs office to confirm - they said absolutely I'd get exemption for pre-existing travel booking, just send it in - so I made a photocopy of the papers, will fill out the form accordingly, attach the printout copy of the booking details and post it tomorrow.

 

[nzdiver]

Re: evidence of pre-existing booking - Re: Jury Duty v Booked Travel

One way to permanently avoid jury duty could be to have a flexi fare for a month long trip, and change the dates to the next month every month. When you get a summons, you always have a pre-booked trip!
That's if you could be bothered with the effort and initial cost of the flexi fair (plus any fare differences if prices go up).
There's still a risk you get told to do the duty when you get back!

(I'm not an Aussie citizen, so don't have to worry )

 

[Simo]

I have had the same issue and all I did was told them I had travel commitments and was excused.

 

[samh004]

One way to permanently avoid jury duty could be to have a flexi fare for a month long trip, and change the dates to the next month every month. When you get a summons, you always have a pre-booked trip!
That's if you could be bothered with the effort and initial cost of the flexi fair (plus any fare differences if prices go up).
There's still a risk you get told to do the duty when you get back!

(I'm not an Aussie citizen, so don't have to worry )

On a frequent flyer forum you'll find a lot have flights booked all the time anyway

From reading this thread I see I'm going to be permanently exempt! probably the only good thing to come from my situation, lol.




 

[Bindibuys]

How do I get Jury Duty??? would love some time from work. Joys of living too far out of town - dont think they will pay the travel expenses to get to court.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Just remember reading about the double status credits in another thread... any bookings with vouchers would appear to Qantas that the booking was made when the voucher was issued (or something like that). I wonder if this can be used to its advantage here?

 

[busissi]

Never had a problem if travel already booked.

 

[busissi]

Are you nuts? Jury duty is serious and can be both traumatic and time consuming. Financial allowances are pathetic, especially if you run a reponsible business or have loyalty to a small employer. You are often deciding someone's future so don't joke about it.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Are you nuts? Jury duty is serious and can be both traumatic and time consuming. Financial allowances are pathetic, especially if you run a reponsible business or have loyalty to a small employer. You are often deciding someone's future so don't joke about it.

I agree. I spent two weeks last November serving jury duty. It was not a pleasant experience. Both the trial itself and also the attitudes of some of the other jurors.

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[kpc]

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

Not accepted now in QLD.

My s-in-law recently got a "jury" letter...I noted in the letter that Drs (in NSW) are exempt!