Jury Service - attending sentencing after release

Dj_Jestar · 17 Jun 2012 at 00:05

I was released from my jury service last week, and sentencing has been scheduled for Monday. I would like to attend, but not if I am to sit in the public gallery with the defendant's friends and family etc.

Does anyone know if, as a juror that was on the case in question, if I would sit in the jury box, or in the gallery? The court isn't open until Monday morning, which is a bit late as I will need some time to travel to the court etc.

Thanks if anyone can shed some light.

The Halk · 17 Jun 2012 at 00:10

I don't know the answer, and I've only done jury service in a Scottish court... but I cannot imagine the jury would sit during sentencing, and if you've been dismissed I cannot see how you would be considered to be jury...

Dj_Jestar · 17 Jun 2012 at 00:14

Sentences couldn't be given immediately, thus we were dismissed/released. This was a 16 week trial with a number of defendants with varying roles to play in a very serious organised crime.

I know I wouldn't be "in the jury" but I basically don't want to be sat next to a load of mobsters whilst their relatives/friends get sent down, and wondered that if I were to attend, that we'd resume the position given the trial technically hasn't finished or whatever - or even if they'd just let us sit in the jury box knowing it must be awkward for us

Collider · 17 Jun 2012 at 00:40

I think you will find that there isn't a jury presence once the trial has concluded and a verdict been given. Delayed sentencing is before the Judge (or all the jury would have to be recalled which would be impractical but also have no purpose as they have no further role to play) so you'd have to sit in the gallery.

You might want to ring the court and find the sentence out afterwards instead.

dowie · 17 Jun 2012 at 00:47

Can you not just find out the result from a public source - why do you want to attend when you've got no function to perform? Would assume you would need to sit in the public gallery if they no longer require a jury.

Dj_Jestar · 17 Jun 2012 at 00:53

It's not just the sentence that I want to know, it's the Judge's comments, and also I just want to "see it out." I can't really explain it other than to point out I spent 16 weeks of my time and effort on this case and I don't want to just walk away from it without seeing the full outcome. It took a lot out of me. It kind of feels like I have been running a marathon, have got to 5 paces from the finish line and then said "That'll do." and stopped.

But yeah, I think I'll just wait and call the court after.

rebel rebel · 17 Jun 2012 at 00:53

When I did jury service the judge invited us all back to watch the sentencing after they broke for lunch.

We sat in the jury box to watch and it was fun, some of the guys family tried to attack us.

I think it may be different for you though as a whole weekend has passed, and you have been released from your service. But it wont hurt to call them Monday and ask.

Werewolf · 17 Jun 2012 at 00:58

If you know the case the Judges comments should be posted online on one of the governments websites from memory.
It's fairly standard for the decision and reasoning behind to be made public

dowie · 17 Jun 2012 at 01:01

Fair enough... I can understand wanting to see something through to completion if you've had quite a lot of involvement in it... might be worth checking with them - if not then I'd assume the Judge's comment etc.. would be recorded too and be available? Prob not worth risking appearing in the public gallery though if there are going to be some unsavory types who might recognize you as a juror.

Dj_Jestar · 17 Jun 2012 at 01:03

Absolutely it will be on public record - but that takes a while for it to happen (as long as 6 months!) as it means someone has to type it up, submit to the public archive, publish the records online etc. etc.

Spenty · 17 Jun 2012 at 01:32

I've never understood jury service. Surely there are many people who get selected that are incapable of making these important decisions that could effect someone's life quite significantly. Or do they just sit and give no input apart from guilty or not guilty depending on what the other members of the jury decide?

Dj_Jestar · 17 Jun 2012 at 01:36

Any and all of the above. The entire point of trial by jury is that it is as close to "trial by society" as we can feasibly get. If we don't include the idiots in the jury, it isn't fair.

Tefal · 17 Jun 2012 at 01:38

Spenty said:
I've never understood jury service. Surely there are many people who get selected that are incapable of making these important decisions that could effect someone's life quite significantly. Or do they just sit and give no input apart from guilty or not guilty depending on what the other members of the jury decide?

they do have selection.

Hence the old be blatantly racist etc at selection so you don't get chosen

Spenty · 17 Jun 2012 at 01:39

Ah I see, it would certainly be an interesting experience.

Dj_Jestar · 17 Jun 2012 at 01:43

Tefal said:
they do have selection.

Hence the old be blatantly racist etc at selection so you don't get chosen

Selection is nothing more than you being picked at random. There's no "interview" or similar. The process is that a number of people are called into the court, and then names (or numbers if the case requires anonymity) are read out. Would be jurors are then given an opportunity to raise any issues with the Judge (such as you know the defendant) and the Judge will decide if the juror should sit or not. Council can also object to any of the jurors at this stage, but there is no "interview" or similar. If you are blatantly bigoted or offensive, you'll be held for contempt in court and fined, or worse jailed.

Pawnless Endgame · 17 Jun 2012 at 04:21

It just happens that I'm due in jury summons starting tomorrow (18th June). Any advice as such? Will an Android phone be ok to play Angry Birds with while sitting out? Presumably there is a locker for valuables for when you are due in the dock?

Richie · 17 Jun 2012 at 10:53

You don't go in the dock as that is for defendants. Just turn your phone off and keep it in your pocket whilst in the courtroom.

For the OP - I would sit in the gallery if it was me and I wanted to be there as bad as you are saying. I wouldn't be letting anyone intimidate me otherwise....

The Halk · 17 Jun 2012 at 11:22

Spenty said:
I've never understood jury service. Surely there are many people who get selected that are incapable of making these important decisions that could effect someone's life quite significantly. Or do they just sit and give no input apart from guilty or not guilty depending on what the other members of the jury decide?

When I went on jury service everybody was fine. The mavity of the situation seemed to have everybody behaving themselves and taking things seriously.

I think the general public are a bunch of morons a lot of the time, but they can sharpen up if they have to.

HangTime · 17 Jun 2012 at 11:39

Also bear in mind there is a panel of 12 Jurors so even if there are a couple of "idiots" there should still be a significant majority of sensible and reasonably intelligent jurors.

Jury service is one of those things I think I'd find very interesting (having read a lot of US legal drama) but the reality of the situation when hearing about some domestic abuse claim, or minor fraud is probably a lot different, a lot of sitting around doing nothing or listening to mundane evidence etc.

TJM · 17 Jun 2012 at 11:57

Judges often invite juries to sit during sentencing if it happens on the day of conviction, but not otherwise.

Just sit in the public gallery. I'm not sure what you think might happen.