Family and Friends Forum

Rachel2022

Member since
August 2022

119 posts

Posted Sun April 2, 2023 12:04pmReport post

Hi,

Hope you are all doing ok. In the middle of all that is going on I have been selected for jury duty. I'm just wondering if anyone knows if I should let the court know what is going on in our life at the moment. My husband had court one week and then the following week I have to attend for jury duty (couldn't make it up ) however, I'm worried about attending I do not feel that it is perhaps appropriate for me at the moment to do this and I hope I will not be chosen however, just wondered people's thoughts. Thank you.

Rachel2022

Member since
August 2022

119 posts

Posted Sun April 2, 2023 12:22pmReport post

Hi Lee,

Thank you. I know it sound stupid but I didn't really think about it that way. I kind of just panicked. Thank you for your advice and help to think about it rationally and not another kick when things aren't great at the moment. Thank you.

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2556 posts

Posted Sun April 2, 2023 1:39pmReport post

Write them a letter explaining your circumstances. I did and it was deferred.

Edited Sun April 2, 2023 2:14pm

majestictopaz

Member since
December 2019

499 posts

Posted Sun April 2, 2023 8:10pmReport post

I don't know whether you would be eligible to refuse any jury duty. Might me worth asking? You can defer but I had a friend do this but they were not able to defer the second time. Their reasons was nothing to do with closeness to those with iioc offenses however. Something to consider or at least be aware. Unfortunately for my friend the second call up was still a major inconvenience...

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2556 posts

Posted Sun April 2, 2023 9:07pmReport post

I stated I was in a traumatic place and would suffer mentally if I had to do a jury service. Which was very true at the time.

perhaps if I got called now I would be ok. I was in pieces at the mere thought of it!

SoTired

Member since
March 2021

387 posts

Posted Sun April 2, 2023 10:13pmReport post

I'd say, honestly, if your court date is sentencing - defer. After sentencing there's a whole host of appointments etc and you're going to need to be okay as much as possible for those x

Rachel2022

Member since
August 2022

119 posts

Posted Mon April 3, 2023 9:29amReport post

Hi,

thank you all so much for the advice and guidance. I think part of it is because i associate that court with the trauma of all of this which I know is very dramatic. I have always just waited in the car for my husband as we were worried about press (so far 3 appearances and nothing in press) even the last time trying to get him into the court was a drama as he couldn't get a day off work which the court was aware of so he had to lie to work he was ill (can't win). His case had been continued three times now as the forensic report hasn't been sent over to the solicitor and we have been told that they wanted to retract things before sending. Have a feeling it will not be sent in time for next week but my nerves are just shot at the moment. Sorry for that rant. Thank you all for the support xx

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2556 posts

Posted Tue April 4, 2023 4:09amReport post

Let us know what you decide? Take care x