Jury Duty

[Dr Ralph]

Want out of jury duty? Just tell everyone that you're biased. Don't have to be more specific than that.

 

[leadman]

Were change fees waived?

The client accepted the change. I rarely have a trip that does not result, at least, in one change.

 

[bcworld]

Want out of jury duty? Just tell everyone that you're biased. Don't have to be more specific than that.

You can do that once you've rocked up to the court for jury selection...or ask the judge to be excused for other reasons...but that's too late for the OP.

 

[Dr Ralph]

You can do that once you've rocked up to the court for jury selection...or ask the judge to be excused for other reasons...but that's too late for the OP.

Nope. You can do it well before.

I've seen it done many times.

 

[Happy Dude]

Want out of jury duty? Just tell everyone that you're biased. Don't have to be more specific than that.

 

[bcworld]

Nope. You can do it well before.

I've seen it done many times.

I'm not sure how you can be biased about an as yet to be determined subject matter...but fair enough.

 

[dairyfloss]

I was able to get out of 4 JD call-ups in 2013-14 with work travel commitments being the reason each time, and with supplied documents to support it (bookings, tickets, application to be excused form & letter signed by company bosses of various relevance)... In one case, I had our corporate agent set-up a multi-country booking for me that coincided with the trial dates, as I didn't happen to have anything on the agenda at the time. After the 4 goes at it, they never contacted me again. Do they come back after x years for another shot?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Chol, re: your reply at 10.37pm last night, and yet they declined?
From that website, maybe if you were already overseas.
Maybe they want to "gerzump" those who are going to be overseas, ie, grab a many potential people as possible for the selection panel.
===
They won't call you, in the interval years, guess each state is different, but maybe this is the thing about being a neutralized Aussie, you have to face the chance of being called up, for jury duty that is, not military (reseves duty, ala Singapore and some other countries).
===
Depends how far you are from 70 years of age too, as from what I have read, once you get to 70, that's it, max age.

 

[moa999]

At least in NSW they have an online portal that lets you submit two date ranges (of up to 2wks each) where you might not be available.

And will typically accept other dates where you have booked in travel with proof.

I've now had my 2nd experience at Downing Centre in Sydney in the last five years where I haven't been selected, just wasted a morning.
In both cases had notice for 10+wk trials, went in and said I'm happy to serve but would prefer shorter.
And I think placed in a up to 2wks panel pool.

The first time they'd taken a few panel numbers at 11am, then sent the rest of the room home at 12pm. This time looked like most of the room went home at 12pm.

And once you have gone through that process you are off the list for the remainder of that selection period.

 

[JohnK]

I cannot sit still for more than 10-15 minutes without having to move around. There's lot of chronic pain that would make it impossible to sit for a whole day and look like I'm even remotely interested in the proceedings.

Medical exemption.

 

[Major]

I was called for jury duty at Beenleigh Court some years ago but had a OOL-SYD flight in the middle of that week. After I forwarded a copy of my E Ticket I was excused for that week.
I was called again a couple of months ago but as I am over 70 I selected the option not to serve. The immediate reply was to that I would not be contacted again.

 

[Lynda2475]

I've been summoned twice (about 12 years apart) both times at downing centre.

First time I was in a job with paid jury leave, so rocked up prepared to do my civic duty, they kept us hanging about for 2 hours and then dismissed everyone, saying now exempted for 4 years. I got a cheque for $7 for my travel expenses.

Then just prior to covid was summoned again, indications were it would be for 12 week trial. That wouldn't suit because I had travel booked during that period. Upon arrival I saw many trying to get out of it altogether, but what I did was tell the check-in clerk I was happy to serve but as I had non-refundable travel planned I would need a shorter case or defer to later in the year; and as I'm a contractor I lose significant income if I don't work.

Clerk happily put me into a pool for a 2 week trial (my travel was 6 weeks away), and I waited to be called. 30 minslater into courtroom with about 50 people. Firstly judge explained the nature of the case (sexual assault of a minor) andasked if anyone felt they couldn't serve due to bias. About 8 stepped forward claiming inability to be impartial or would find too traumatic- these were excused from the case but sent back to the larger pool - so I don't recommend this unless genuine.

Then they started selecting people. One guy selected then said couldn't serve due to financial hardship, not sure what happened but I was unlucky and selected.

12 of us were shepherded to a jury room and started to fill in paperwork. Then one young girl decided she couldn't do it, pulled out which then meant the other 11 were dismissed for 4 years, whilst she had to go back into pool.

So ime medical reasons, insignificant English and exempt occupations aside, requesting an exemption rather than an alternate date or shorter duration seems to backfire.

 

[bcworld]

12 of us were shepherded to a jury room and started to fill in paperwork. Then one young girl decided she couldn't do it, pulled out which then meant the other 11 were dismissed for 4 years, whilst she had to go back into pool.

That's close to what happened to me this year. 12 of us sat in the jury room after selection and then listened to opening arguments for about an hour before they sent us home for the day. On day 2...1 of the 12 didn't show up after they decided they couldn't handle the subject matter. So the 11 were brought back into the court and dismissed to be replaced with an entirely new jury from that day's pool. Trial ended up going for 9 days in the end.

 

[funnybrus]

In my recent QLD experience, travel wasn't enough for excusal unless you were away for the entire period.

I was, however, able to apply for partial excusal for the date range where I was away.

 

[chol]

**UPDATE**

I met the coordinator at the courts today. TLDR The process is not explained on the website from what I can see, or in their communication and you can be accommodated with relevant evidence.

The long version as explained to me. You will generally receive an automatic deny if you are not away for the ENTIRE PERIOD. If you make it to the second round (this also happens much earlier than stated in letter) and are summoned you can THEN apply for a partial excusal for just the time that you are away and they will accommodate it, provided you give evidence. Lots of wasted time and stress could be avoided for people if the first letter or denial email simply stated this process instead of no, but you can ask the judge if summoned.

Post automatically merged: Aug 18, 2023

In my recent QLD experience, travel wasn't enough for excusal unless you were away for the entire period.

I was, however, able to apply for partial excusal for the date range where I was away.

Yes, this appears to be the process.

 

[Quickstatus]

I've been asked 5 times
2 times I had evidence of holiday booked prior to jury letter
1 time I had surgery booked
1 time I had a training simulation booked
1 times Mrs QS needed post op help at home

Have not had to use the Occupational exemption yet.

Medical exemption.

@JohnK you should be able to get a permanent exemption for QLD, so they don't send you letter again

 

[cove]

Mrscove and I have not been called up.Now that we are in our seventies we have pretty conservative views so we may be unsuitable to be in a jury.

 

[JohnK]

@JohnK you should be able to get a permanent exemption for QLD, so they don't send you letter again.

I'm still registered in NSW. If I get another request for jury service I'll apply for permanent exemption.

 

[LostRedditor]

I've been a citizen for < 2 years and already received my first summons. I'm not going to try and get out of it, I'm too curious about the experience. expected to last 2 weeks. I wouldn't be disappointed to be excused, though.

Question for people who have sat through jury duty here, what is it like?

 

[tomlee1986]

I've been a citizen for < 2 years and already received my first summons. I'm not going to try and get out of it, I'm too curious about the experience. expected to last 2 weeks. I wouldn't be disappointed to be excused, though.

Question for people who have sat through jury duty here, what is it like?

have been citizen for over 20 years and NEVER got summoned