Summons to Juror

"I don't believe in it"

If you can prove that on religious grounds you have a chance. If it's just a personal belief you've probably got next to Buckley's. The notice should have details on exemptions or somewhere to look or someone to call.

Personally I believe it is everyone's civil duty. It's not as if you get asked every year.

I've been lucky and never been called, whereas my sister has been called twice. First time she pleaded needing to care for a child with a medical condition (diabetic). That worked. Next time he was all grown up so she had to go - she was not selected. Not all called get picked - you could try winking at the defendant and acting like you're an old friend - that should disquailify you for sure! It may vary from state to state, but certain medical conditions, being the sole carer for someone with a medical condition in need of a carer, or proof of extreme hardship (eg sole trader in business), would be reasons to get an exemption.

I was to go this week, but told them I was a self-employed one-man band, which I am. That's sufficient. They pay you $84 a day for the first five days, $94 for the following five days, and $104 per day after the 11th day. Great: try running a business on that. Now if they'd pay all of my company and personal bills then I'd happily sit the five weeks they had scheduled me for. They pay you per day what you'd normally make in one hour. I think they need to get a little bit real. I don't mind doing my civil duty, but not if it's going to result in my phone and power being cut off.

I'd love to do it...

there is only a slim chance you will be required anyway. IF they call your name you still have a good chance of being released by challange by either the prosecution or defence.
It is actually good education and can be quite funny. If you ever ondered how people get off you will find out. My trial could have been an eppisode from Australias dummest folk but we had to let a guy very guilty of Arson go because the coppers did not put anything remotely resembling a decent case. Talking to others (Jury duty is a regular occurence in smaller places) this is pretty normal

i got out of it once because i lived more than 30km from the courthouse.

My wife has been a juror 4 times in 3 yrs (in one instance 2 cases back to back). I am on a disability pension and apparently will never be called upon. I asked them why and they said disabled pensioners are an automatic exemption.

Peter

get a very smart haircut, hire a salvation army uniform and go along clutching your own bible.
your number might get called but the defence will chuck you off straight away.
pretty soon the court will send you away as a waste of time.
works every time for me.

Join the Navy, Army or Air Force or become a lawyer or copper - you will get automatic exclusion.

Claim you have known the defendant previously, they cant use you then, and he wont argue, anything causing things not go smoothly is up his street.

I believe the court sheriff is the person you give the excuse to . Good luck

A. be female . B. claim exemption due to P.M.T.

Sleep with the Judge...or tell them you know Truckster, who is happy to fill in for you.

They don't seem to like upright straight authoritarian stereotypes - at least the defence lawyers don't. Short hair cut and a really spiffy looking traditional suit. If you're in the RSL, wear your badge. Your chances of being selected are slim anyway. I've fronted twice and not been selected.

Change your name to Michael Jackson... Sorry, I know that was in poor taste but he has gotten out of Jury Duty recently (I can't believe he was actually called up).

I have never been called so do not know all the details, but I do believe that your employer can also confirm to them that you are required at work for various reasons (your letter should contain details). My boss was called a few months ago and managed to avoid it after writing a letter explaining his work comittments for travel etc.

On the other hand, my G'Father was called up and ended up on the Jury. He has some fairly radical views and basically doesn't believe in the police. He learnt a lot by sitting in court and learning some of the more gory details of life. He still does not believe in police, but now accepts that unfortunately at times they are needed. His case involved a lady that had a rather not nice husband.

While you may not believe in it, it may also be an opportunity for you to learn more. The concept of a jury is a representation of the society that is passing judgement. If you were on the jury then you would be representing what you and possible many others believe.

A friend of mine was called. He told them that he had a criminal record. When asked what for he told them DD and was then told that that didn' count. What a system. If your done for DD you have a criminal record and as far as I know if you have a criminal record you are ineligable to sit on a jury

Just dont go...they dont have the time or resources to chase every one up...you will not be the only one not there. If they get most people they send a letter to turning up they are happy. If they ask for a reason (doubt it) say you never got the letter because you were on holiday somewhere and never recieved it. Not that I condone this sort of behaviour...just and idea:).
Cheers
Greg

Just tell them that the voices in your head have told you that you have to stay home and clean your guns that day!!!

I am lucky as I am an ex copper so I tell them that if they have got this far in the legal process then they are guilty anyway as in my years of being a cop I never once saw an innocent person get arrested... so being that my opinion is going to be predjudiced I am exempt from jury duty for life...

Works for me!

Richard

I have got out of it for years. Just told them I had a hearing problem and if they wanted proof contact my Doctor. This was the excuse I was told to use by an ex court bailiff. I have not had a call up 10years.
Also if you have kids and its school holidays just tell them you have other plans with the kids I have heard that works.
I suppose some people like to go and get all excited over what they hear in a court room but I am like you.

Regards

Howard

Make sure you are not on the electoral role. Also saves you from the ultimate exercise in futility, having to vote.

Coming from a small town getting the jury duty call comes 2 - 3 times per year. The clerk of the court knows most people anyway but I have learnt some good tricks. They don't have to be true but it helps.

Racist tendencies. - I am biased against ethnic groups, black people, white people, bikies, gang members, junkies, drug dealers etc (whatever suits your local circumstances)

Nervous disposition - I become anxious and nauseous in pressure situations.

I have planned and interstate holiday over the jury service period. Family re-union something really important is best.

I have a poor concentration span and get distrated when bored.

Tell them in your reply that you have done jury duty in the last 12 months. Maybe they won't check.

Remember also if you are called for jury duty, there is only a small chance you will actually get to sit on the jury. For a start your number must get drawn out of a hat and then the legal people have to accept you. If you do get called to sit you then have another chance to ask the judge directly for an excusal.

You can then use some of the above excuses again and try get off that way. Or otherwise try;

You think you might be related to the defendant, You've read about the case in the papers and reckon he did it.

Ultimately I usually do it once a year however have never got to actually sit on a jury.

good luck

Spade

I was called up for jury duty in Penrith NSW, my brother was also called up on the same panel he told the court attendent that we should be allowed to leave as we had both been picked for the same jury pool.

The court attendent told my brother to sit down and that it would not be a problem if we both ended up on the same jury.

Well you guessed it we both got picked on the same jury, neither my brother and I were smart enough to do what the last person that was called up did, when the last juror walked up to the jury box glared at the defendent, if looks could kill, they kicked him to the kerb quick smart.

Solution glare daggers at the defendent.

Cheers

Simply drag your pet hinge along on its chain behind you to the first selection meeting. That should do it!

Richard

One of the office ladies at work replied to her call up with a letter. In the letter she stated

"I am an ex coppers wife, wheel the guilty bastards in!"

Funnily enough, she was not required!

Maybe that'll give you food for thought.

Hi Richard,

No-one has stated the obvious correct answer which is to be in a position of being tried at the same time as you are supposed to be trying someone else.
If this does not work ?? (don't know why it wouldn't). You could always tell the compasionate person who gives a $hit that you were wrongly convicted (previously) and believe all who end up in the courtroom are innocent anyway so no sense going to trial with me in the jury if you want a conviction.
All tongue in cheek, but sure it would work if you wanted it to.

Regards Trevor.

I was called up not long ago after years of getting it off due to work commitments. Every day about 100 or sometimes 200 people would turn up and wait to be called in, and then the numbers were drawn. After a couple of days someone had knocked off the TV set in the jurors room and we all complained and they had to but a new one for us. I figured they really need 36 people in Qld, each barrister can reject 12 and they need 12 so why in gods name do they need 200 each and every day.
I ended up on one jury we all said guilty as hell and the judge let him off anyway, what was the point of the whole exercise, three days ( in short bursts) of arguing for nothing.

With is latest goings on I reckon the police should bring in a new rule,

"If in doubt take them out". At least it will save us from jury service.

I must admit I learned a lot. We all had to be there by 8am. The judges usually arrived aroud 11am. we went up for selection abourt midday, home by 1pm. If there was some real work done by judges, ie 8 hours pay for 8 hours work the courts would not have the delays that are curently encountered. The two to three hour lunches they enjoyed really bleep me off.
The three days I had in actual court room duties would have probably been able to be dealt with in two or three hours of real activity.

if not a religious grounds, perhaps that you might have an outspoken view of 'hang the bastard', irrespective of the case at hand.

What I can tell you is that its a pain in the arse for everybody - yourself & your boss.

Of course I'm not that radical.

Thanks All

I'm just not gunna GO

Richard