So that was jury service, was it?

[mythichistorian]

Okay.  I'm done

Comments

[gileswench]

The first time I got called up for jury duty, I wound up seated on a six week murder trial. It was sordid yet dull. I think I'd have preferred to make half a blanket.

[mythichistorian]

Yeah, on balance I'd say the blanket was the better option!

[antennapedia]

Poor organization, I'd say. Dunno how it works exactly where you are, but in my California county they know which cases have reached the jury selection phase each week, and therefore how large a pool of candidates they need to have in the courthouse. It's all webbified, too, so you can check online to see if you need to go in.

I seem to be on the hook about every two years. I've had to waste a day at the courthouse twice, and have served on a jury once. A fascinating experience, though depressing. (We had to decide whether a paranoid schizophrenic young man should be committed to a mental institution against his will. Ugh.)

[mythichistorian]

I think the problem with us is the cases that go to court - and therefore may require a jury, but which then get sorted between the barristers and the judge on the actual day. That was the reason for having to wait on both days I was called in - both times, the usher came back up from chambers to announce 'case is completed, you can go home.'

The rest of the time, they just didn't call me at all. Which wouldn't have been a problem if I could go back to the office on the days they didn't want me - but since I work 115 miles away from where I live (and am on on the electoral register which they use to select potential jurors) that was a little difficult ...

I'm quite glad I didn't get to sit on a case in a way, (the one you had sounds like a real tough one) but it is vaguely disappointing that I've had all this disruption and not got very much out of it.

[phoebesmum]

I imagine the CPS are still throwing out all the cases they possibly can in case someone accidentally puts a criminal in jail. That might lighten the caseload. It seems a terribly inefficient way of doing things. But at least it's over now.

[mythichistorian]

So very true - on many counts. :-)