Jury Duty

[Matty]

I'm sure a few of you have done this, and I appreciate it's an important civic duty...but my god it's boring.

2.5 days I've done so far, trying to fill 7 hour days with small talk with fellow jurors, browsing every website imaginable, puzzles, reading. I've yet to be called. Alongside the boredom, it's made worse is the lack of information; No idea who will be called, or when - so it's doing tactical toilet breaks, discussions about "risking" buying a coffee or sandwich, in case you get called immediately and it's wasted....on top of all that, the place has no AC and is currently a melting pot with 60-80 people crammed relatively closely together.

Only 7 more days to go. I'm sure there *must* be a better way of doing it than this? I guess if there was, they'd be doing it - I mean I get paid regardless, but I'm talking to a few contractors, or self-employed people who are told to come in, never get called for anything, and understandably get pretty pissed of with it. One bloke said he'd have been better off paying the £1k fine than the business he's losing over it.

A mates idea of wearing a Peep Show inspired "Free the pedos" t-shirt to get kicked out is looking like an appealing option at this point to save my sanity.

[John]

I did it a few years ago. Did one short trial the first week and then on the Friday was told I wouldn't be needed the following week so I could return to work which of course I did and certainly didn't take the week off as a bonus holiday

[jamcg]

I was called up about 10 years ago. I provided evidence that we had work booked in and no other person to do it, and my attending would be detrimental to the business, and also added the pay received for attending is significantly less than my wage and would leave me in financial hardship, got a letter back saying I didn’t have to do it

[240PP]

My name was picked out while I was contracting. The gov were paying jurors about £64 per day (approx 2015) so I asked my boss to write a letter. He spoke about cost and risk to the business, delays to projects etc and I was subsequently excused.

They say two weeks but if you end up on a biggie you could be there for months. Everyone I’ve spoken to echos the OP too, not interesting in the slightest just extreme boredom.

[dinny_g]

Never been called but a colleague got a 7 week trial so I guess it must have been something juicy...

It sounds like hell to me...

[mik]

I think Scotland changed their policies recently - about 10 years ago I was called and got excused via a letter organised with my employer.

I've since been called twice in the last year, and they wouldn't entertain any similar rationale. Both times I've cleared my calendar for the week, and then not been called to court - phone after 5 tonight to check if you are needed tomorrow - not called again - phone after 5 tonight to check if you are needed tomorrow.....not called again - repeat.

I have therefore been able to work, but not in a way that anyone could define as efficiently. Really poor system.

[dinny_g]

I'd prefer that than siting in room with a load of randoms waiting to be called.

[Matty]

Someone mentioned here that the "can't go, too valuable at work" thing carries less and less weight now, was being used too often I guess to bypass it.

Maybe I should have flashed my Blue Light card at them, as I'm officially designated a key worker

[Matty]

Killing time on Reddit, found this relevant and amusing

https://www.reddit.com/r/cats/s/bFTNdoHk9U

[DeskJockey]

That's quite funny.

You could try telling them that you identify as a cat? See if that gets you out of it.

[V8Granite]

I had a letter about 10 years ago saying I was removed from the list due to my job. I was pleased about this.

Dave!

[Jobbo]

Killing time on Reddit, found this relevant and amusing

https://www.reddit.com/r/cats/s/bFTNdoHk9U

Have you considered saying you are a cat?

[Matty]

Me: I'm afraid I'm going to have to be excused from jury duty

Usher: On what grounds?

Me: I'm a cat

[Beany]

You need to use the correct terminology, which is

"Miaowsers!! I'm a cat now!"

Then go piss in someone's shoes.

[Matty]

You quoted that like you've said it before....

[Ascender]

A couple of times I've been called up and I've just written my own letter explaining I'm a self employed contractor, happy to be considered at a another time but can't due to client commitments and nobody else to do it, financial loss etc. Been accepted every time.

I know they oversubscribe like airlines as they know some people will just bin the letter, so I suspect they're quite happy to actually hear back from someone.

[Matty]

A couple of times I've been called up and I've just written my own letter explaining I'm a self employed contractor, happy to be considered at a another time but can't due to client commitments and nobody else to do it, financial loss etc. Been accepted every time.

I know they oversubscribe like airlines as they know some people will just bin the letter, so I suspect they're quite happy to actually hear back from someone.

Some guys I spoke to last week are contractors and/or self employed, and they couldnt get out of it.

One bloke said he'd have just paid the £1k fine, as he'd have been better off, but couldn't risk the criminal conviction.

[Jobbo]

Have you been released early yet?

[Matty]

Have you been released early yet?

Not yet. Sitting here counting ceiling tiles, still yet to get on a case. Don't you know people in law? Can't you pull some strings to get me out?

Don't tell them I'm a fiddler or anything mental, just tell them I've bought 4 Alfa Romeos and clearly aren't of sound mind to judge others.

[Mito Man]

I like the idea of pretending you’re a cat. In Soho they have a shop which sells various synthetic animal tails, with a plug on the end. I imagine it’s for people who want to get out of jury duty as it always seems pretty busy.