General / Off-Topic Jury Service - What to do?

sporadic_kit

S
Hi all,

So I have this friend who got summoned to do jury service but he doesn't want to do it because he is running a business that cannot do without him.

What will happen if he just ignores the letter? I am fully aware of the consequences that are stipulated on the summons like fine and criminal record etc but is this just a threat? How can they actually follow that through? Surely they won't?

Has anyone had this happen to them and ignored it? What happened? Surely they don't have the resources to follow that up?

The letter was even recorded delivery like a proper summons so it could have got lost in the post or anything....

Of course I have advised him that he should go but just interested to hear if anyone (knows of anyone :D:D) who has been in this situation?

They won't pay lost earnings im sure.
 

Fenris Wolf

Fenris Wolf
Whatever you do... you don't ignore it!

He will need to contact them and explain the situation, that he is self-employed/running his own business and that he cannot afford to take the time off for jury service. State that any time he has off would damage his company and that at present it wouldn't be possible.

They 'may' let him off the service this time, but he will get another summons at a later date and he will most likely have to do that one.

I've done it twice now in a space of nine years and they've said that I should never be called again.
 

withnail

withnail
He needs to reply and tell them why he cannot do it. Of her is business critical they may well let him off. Otherwise, he may face a fine.

They pay a small amount of money but not much.

I have done jury service twice now and I am 38!

Edit: I've not been told I will be let of again!
 

Vjornaxx

Vjornaxx
I assume you live the USA.

Yes, they will fine you if you evade jury duty.
Yes, they will put it on your record if you evade jury duty.
Yes, they will follow through with these threats if you evade jury duty.

It should also say on the letter that there's a way to contact them if you have extenuating circumstances.

If I were in your friend's situation, I'd contact the court and explain the situation. I would not even consider evading jury duty.

Also, jury duty will pay you for your time, but it is a very small amount (something like $15/day)

*This is not legal advice.
 

sporadic_kit

S
Why assume US? I live in London...

I think its mad. How they can actually prosecute for this. Why don't they target unemployed people? How much does this cost the economy?

I don't reckon they will prosecute / fine personally. What if the letter got lost? Or the person was out of the country? There are so many reasons why actual fine / prosecution just won't happen IMO.

So they don't pay for time off? The max fine is 5 times less that would have been earnt during the two week period!!
 

Fenris Wolf

Fenris Wolf
sporadic_kit said:
I think its mad. How they can actually prosecute for this. Why don't they target unemployed people? How much does this cost the economy?

I don't reckon they will prosecute / fine personally. What if the letter got lost? Or the person was out of the country? There are so many reasons why actual fine / prosecution just won't happen IMO.

So they don't pay for time off? The max fine is 5 times less that would have been earnt during the two week period!!
Click to expand...


It is called Civic Duty and classed under your citizenship of the United Kingdom. Consider it a legal obligation between you and the Crown.

They will prosecute and it can even end up with a jail sentence!

-- I'm not supporting it, just stating the facts --

As you said, the letter is recorded delivery so it won't 'get lost' and if the person is out of the country then that is an acceptable reason for them not being there! Unless the trip was arranged after they received the summons for jury service.

As for 'target the unemployed' - A jury is supposed to be made from people of all walks of life.

Last time I was called up, I was actually out of work and I had to sign-off as I wasn't able to look for work during those two weeks I was on jury service. Afterwards I had to sign back on and go through all the #*'($%#* forms again. I ended up losing four weeks unemployment benefit for doing jury service and all I got from them was my travel fares.

So... it can be unfair for whoever it happens to.

You just have to do it.

Edit - BTW - It can last more than two weeks. A friend of mine ended up being on a jury for three months!
 

Vjornaxx

Vjornaxx
sporadic_kit said:
Why assume US? I live in London...
Click to expand...

Legal systems are different from country to country and your profile has no location. I wanted to be helpful, and the only help I can offer is specific to the USA. So if you lived in the USA, then my post was useful, else it's not applicable. May I should have worded it: "Assuming you live in the USA..."

This bit is probably applicable - Don't ignore the court system. What does jury duty cost you? In the USA, ignoring the courts will eventually lead to a severe fine at best and jail time at worst; combine that with employers who run your name through the court systems and the cost of skipping jury duty becomes apparent. What's a day of your time compared to that?
 

sporadic_kit

S
Like I say, I have advised him that he should do it or talk to them but he is talking about just ignoring it.

They can't do jack off the back of that because he can just say he didn't get the letter surely.
 

metatheurgist

metatheurgist
Ignoring it is the dumbest thing he can do. Seriously, why do people do the most stupid things when all they have to do is follow the correct procedures. It's things like that that turn a minor issue into an ongoing drama.
 

Surfinjo

Surfinjo
Ignoring an order from an institution that can take your money and your liberty with impunity seems reckless and arrogant frankly.
 

Commander Jameson's Ghost

Commander Jameson's Ghost
He can ask for exemption-probably will not get it but you get nothing from the State if you do not ask. There is the possibility he will not be selected or objected to by the Defense-or he may have to exempt himself if he knows the defendant or some other relevant factor. He should investigate all legal get-outs further to see if he qualifies.
 

Winterwalker

Winterwalker
Er .. yeah ..

In the UK courts and jury are run by HMCS (HM Courts and Tribunal Service) ..
That's HER MAJESTY'S Courts and Tribunal Service ..

Failing to answer the call is probably an act of treason against the Crown ..
.. in some ancient reading of the law or other.

Although I suppose, if you were to say,
"Can't do it .. ED Beta 3.0 is imminent and I pledged ..
.. they probably wouldn't have heard THAT one before

See you AFTER Commander!
 

sporadic_kit

S
Thanks for all of the input on this guys... I showed my mate this thread and as you have ALL backed up what I already told him he has paid attention and will write a letter explaining his situation to them. If her majesty is kind enough to allow him to continue with his business they he shall celerbrate by drinking tea and playing Beta3.

Fly Safe
 

Riedquat

Riedquat
Yep, when I was self employed I just responded saying I could not take the loss of earnings etc, I did not hear anything back so assumed I got let off.

Now that I am in permanent employment I would probably accept!
 
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