JURY DUTY

What ages are allowed to serve on a jury?

18-75

Who is disqualified from being on a jury?

Been in prison for 5 years +

Are deaf and blind allowed on a jury?

yes, but if it interferes with service than cannot be allowed to continue. e.g. visual evidence or police tape showing the crime committed.

What is the Juries Act of 1974?

consolidate certain enactments relating to juries, jurors and jury service with corrections and improvements.

What is R v Wang (2005) ?

in the criminal law of England and Wales is the binding precedent, from the highest court, that a judge in England or in Wales is not entitled to direct, or instruct, order or require, a jury to return a verdict of guilty.

How was the Criminal Justice Act of 2003, helpful for jury duty?

a measure introduced to modernise the criminal justice system.

For example:

The Act expanded substantially the number of people eligible for jury service, firstly by removing the various former grounds of ineligibility, and secondly by reducing the scope for people to avoid service when called up. Only members of the Armed Forces whose commanding officers certify that their absence would be prejudicial to the efficiency of the Service can be excused jury duty. Judges, lawyers and police officers now eligible to serve.

How can you be excused from jury duty?

1. Being too ill to attend

2. Disability

3. Exams

4. Pre-booked holiday (non-refundable)

5. A mother with a small baby

6. Business appointment

How are juries selected?

Through the central summoning bureau, have 7 days to reply, the name is randomly selected from electoral register.

What is vetting?

investigating an individual

background check- general

wider background check- police, criminal record, political views, only done for extreme cases where there is high confidentiality. Approved by the attorney general in order to happen.

What are the advantages of juries?

What happens if you don’t attend?

Fined £1,000