Jury Service System

[diana_holbourn]

It sounds like a good idea to me. I certainly have no objections at this stage.

[val lavender]

Hi Di

Therefore I will proceed to the next stage, do you feel that this should form part of this discussion or be the subject of a new topic?

Your advice would be most welcome.


Regards


Val

[Saffron]

I would definitely support this

[diana_holbourn]

?I think it might be best if you start a new topic, since then you can highlight what you're doing to some extent in the subject heading, whereas people might miss it here. You can always link back to this thread so people can easily come and look at the opinions expressed here.

[mrs unhappy]

I think is a brilliant idea and will be behind you all the way.

[webmoo]

I'd like to add my vote of support to this one too - I agree wholeheartedly with the proposals, and think it is a fantastic idea. We will happily host a copy of the letter on this site, linked to from this thread and possibly elsewhere. That way the letter cannot be ignored!

Please also invite any members of the judiciary and the media to comment and debate the letter and the issues raised on this forum - we'd be very happy to host such a discussion.

[val lavender]

Hi all

so do we put this document on this thread or do we start a new topic, some guidance from WM would be appreciated.

If we can find a way to post a letter that can be modified until all are happy with its contents, together with a list of our mutual contacts to whom it is to be sent, this can be started tommorow.

Whilst many people in this community have many experiances and a high degree of knowledge in many areas I feel that we should confine the subject of this letter to the issue of Juries.

If this experiment is succesful we can address other areas of concern in a similar fashion.

Regards

Val

[webmoo]

Hi Val,

I do think a separate topic for it would be a good idea. If you start one and email me a copy of the draft letter, I'll host it on broadcaster for you. People can then post comments, and I'l re-upload the letter every day or two when I can, if you can edit it.

HTH!

[maria]

hi val i would back you most definatley any help i can give you let me know i think its a fab idea x

[webmoo]

Hi all,

The first draft of the letter is up - please have a read and give your comments.
It's here.

May I say a public thank you to Val Lavender for writing the first draft and for co-ordinating the effort.

[mary545]

I believe that Jurors should have some form of experience within the legal system.
It is unfair that jurors can be allowed to judge a book by its cover as so to speak.
We all know that false allegations are indeed very common these days and that a vast amount of money is invested by the Inland Revenue to allow false allegations to reach courts.
If the crown prosecution service only did their job correctly then we would not rely on incompetent people to decide whether were are indeed guilty as charged or innocent because the facts prove the accuser to be telling lies.
When there is no evidence against the accused then how can the Jurors make up their minds based on what we would refer to as lies
Mary

[maria]

hi mary how are you its been a while since you have been on , how are things going? i don't know if you have read all the threads but val has a really good write up on here have a look and send in your comments take care for now x

[sue1947]

I would like to add my comments to this discussion on the Jury Service, when my son went to court for being falsely accused of attempted rape, the jury was sworn in, my son noticed that one of the jury had the same surname as his accuser and asked his defence lawyer to find out if this person was related to his accuser.

The judge asked the jurer if they was related to the victim my sons accuser and they said no, no checks was made on this person at all, my son said to his defence QC he was not happy and wanted that jurer moved and somebody else brought in, he was told it was too late, the trial had not even started.

Now i don't know anything about jury service only that you can be called up for it,
but, i would appreciate somebody explainging to me if they can how this can happen, it seems this particular jurer kept staring at my son and giving him dirty looks.

It was not till after the trial that we found out this jurer had not been checked or asked to be checked out by my sons barrister.

[Rights Fighter]

I understand that in Germany they have or did substitute financial compensation for top notch therapy for those who have been genuinely abused. I agree that any time taken off from work due to the trauma of being raped, for attending counselling and other forms of therapy should be reimbursed as well. Unfortunately I don't know the source for the info related to the German courts, but I wish somebody would find out! I understand the same happened in Canada.

RF

[Mr Unhappy]

Mr

What are your views on jury service and the way they decide on a persons life.
How can this be fair that anyone over 18 can stand on a jury even if they are thick cannot spell etc at least they could put 12 intelligent people on a jury not people who cannot understand basic concepts. We need to see an end to jury service it is only an expressed opinion regarding the prosecutions theory and it is a know fact that people can be wrong in their opinions.

I am a serving jury member at the moment and like you I think the selection method is a disgrace.

On my jury today there are four immature girls and three like minded boys. (Average Age 18)

There was for a short time an alcoholic (Drunk on duty) but he got discharged leaving four adults and the immature.

I happen to sit next to one of the boys and apart from him having problems sitting still when the trial is in progress, he spends most of his time drawing silly pictures and passing them to the immature idiot next to him.

On the jury break periods the seven immatures topic of conversation are Sweets / Latest Batman and Robin Film / Nania / Fantasia ect.

There are three defendants in the dock who are blissfully unaware that judgment against them is determined by "Bat Man and Robin" fans?

I rest my case Milord!