Jury Service

[Invisible Monkey]

In what is a first for me and anyone that I know of, I've been selected for Jury Service and I have no legitimate reasons that would allow me to be excused if selected to serve on a jury.

I'm a big fan of courtroom dramas, books, TV shows etc so part of me would find the whole experience interesting but I'm under no illusions that the reality is likely to be far more tedious and draining, with the potential to have a negative impact on mental and emotional health if the crime is particularly graphic.

I'm interested to know if there are any members here that have served on a jury and if you can share your experiences (excluding those that you are permanently barred from disclosing)?

How did your employer handle your absence?
Did they pay your normal salary or did you have to come to a specific agreement regarding the $40 per day you get in terms of either having that deducted from your normal pay or paying that back to the business once jury service is completed?
I understand there is no travel or meal allowance to and from the court however some form of snacks will be provided. So either parking or transport to and from the court is at your own cost.
Any tips or advice for what lies in store during this process, from being summoned to court, the jury selection process or anything else that would prove to be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

 

[DC3]

Who would want to be judged by 12 people not smart enough to get out of jury duty?

 

[cove]

In WA Mrscove received a jury service letter. Her first attempt we hit a traffic jam from hell from a bus breakdown so we got there too late. Next time she was eliminated as the defence did not want hard nosed older women who love to convict felons.. She is now ineligble for another call up.

 

[AuSammy]

I sent my non-refundable overseas flight itinerary that coincided with the court dates.

 

[kpc]

Ì'm in a profession that automatically gets excluded from jury duty....fortunately!

 

[cove]

I never got picked and 75 is the cut off so I am ineligble.

 

[moa999]

Been called three times to Sydney Downing Centre... So possibility for some of the big trials. Served once in my early 20s on a 2-day trial.

From memory in all three cases they were for 10+ wk trials. I was always willing to serve but asked for shorter trials due to study/ work etc and typically got reassigned for estimated sub 5-day trials.

The latter two times hung around till 12/1pm then my group number got sent home..
The first time got called into a room past 2. I was one of the last people empanelled, think all the challenges had run out. We ended up being a jury of 11 after one member dropped out on the 2nd day claiming claustrophobia in the jury room. Trial ended late on the 2nd day and we had a pretty quick jury discussion.

Was fairly frustrating trial as a jury member as we were constantly sent in and out of the court whilst other issues were discussed in front of the judge.

At the time I was a casual employee so it definitely cost me.. Believe generally for wage earners you'd keep the small additional amount.
Court hours are often relatively short so I suspect many working jury members are doing stuff before and after court.