Jury Duty - yes or no?

35 replies · 1,544 views

almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Profile pic. Should you be interested. Lakhsen, on the right, lost touch with him.
Mohammed, on the left, I'm still in touch with. He's now living in Agadez, Niger. More focused on his animals now as tourism has dried up. Is active with a co-op promoting local goods, leather work and bijouterie, into Europe.
20/5/20

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/3673818/Four-in-five-skip-out-on-jury-duty

Four out of five New Zealanders who receive a summons for jury service are being excused or don't turn up. Yet the justice minister has no plans to change the $62-a-day payment offered to jurors.

And the Ministry of Justice is passing up the opportunity to collect nearly $70 million in fines for jury shirkers.

Figures released by the ministry following an Official Information Act request show that, last year, of more than 320,000 Kiwis called up to a jury, nearly 200,000 were excused for legitimate reasons and 67,000 simply didn't turn up.

Failing to appear for selection carries a maximum fine of $1000 but fines are almost never levied.

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Wow, Thats a pretty significant stat.
I wonder who the people who do it do for their jobs though.
I would imagine that it would be people on salaries going for it.

When I was at Police a few people I knew got called up but got out of it because they purely worked for police.

I would (Depending on the case) love to do it.

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I'd do it.

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I've had to get out of it 3 times because my bosses at the time cdn't do without me for a week or more. I Have a less important job these days so wd be more willing to give it a go

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

It would be like being in a Murder Mystery movie or book.

Weatherston would have been a good one.

I like crime stuff. Very interesting.

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I was in the jury pool for a case which turned out to be a 2 week he said she said uncle fiddling with young kids case. Was stoked when I found out what the case was that I wasn't picked.

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Been summoned three times. First time at a very busy time at work, and got the boss to have me excused.

Second time I turned up, and got selected for a trial which went on for two days. Not particularly exciting.

Third time I got summoned only a few months after the second time, and got off because I'd been on a jury within the previous 12 months.

Think jury service is important, but my track record obviously doesn't really reflect that...

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

symptomatic of modern society Mike.
we talk of crime and punishment, the sacrosanct nature of due criminal process, various blow hards want to get tough on crime (more specifically other peoples crime)
but when it comes to actually ensuring the facilitation of such we really can't be bothered.

If the average Joe gave 2 f***'s about the 'system' volunteering for the well being of the community would be no sweat. But as a nation/society we are light years away from this in both priorities and the actual economic effort to do so.

I'd carry on righteously but suffice to say an involved and effective Jury System incorporating wide swathes of the community is a corner stone of an effective and healthy democracy. The capitulation of such plays right into the hands of those who wish to do away Juries all together, and the reasons for that have nothing to do with access or quality of Justice.

E's Flat Ah's Flat Too

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

The first time I got called up, I got on the jury for a 2 week trial. I then got called up 6 times in 5 years. So much for it being random when a lot of people at my work have never been called.

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I finally got called up last year....never got drawn on the Monday. Wasn't required on Tuesday or Wednesday. Was required on Thursday so went out and got epically battered Wednesday night thinking surely this time I would be drawn.

Not required, back in at work by 10am with crushing hangover. FML. Arsenal2010-05-10 08:59:54

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

foal30 wrote:

symptomatic of modern society Mike.we talk of crime and punishment, the sacrosanct nature of due criminal process, various blow hards want to get tough on crime (more specifically other peoples crime) but when it comes to actually ensuring the facilitation of such we really can't be bothered. If the average Joe gave 2 f***'s about the 'system' volunteering for the well being of the community would be no sweat. But as a nation/society we are light years away from this in both priorities and the actual economic effort to do so. ï¿½ I'd carry on righteously but suffice to say an involved and effective Jury System incorporating wide swathes of the community is a corner stone of an effective and healthy democracy. The capitulation of such plays right into the hands of those who wish to do away Juries all together, and the reasons for that have nothing to do with access or quality of Justice.

?
I would have done it - just did not want to sit through that sort of information/emotion. I give a f**k, I can be bothered, just glad I didn't have to for something that I find so awful - I would rather be on a murder case than a kiddy fiddler case.

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

i'd be terrified of being put on a graphic case, i.e David Bain or f**kknucle Weatherstone. Imagine the nightmares for a poor sensitive soul for me

I was on a three week trial- it was exhausting, bopring and frustrating- it was a libel case- NZ's second biggest-the verdict was an extremely tense time, but apart from that as dry as paint

Worse for me was that I had just come off doing a huge event and was looking for some relaxing time between jobs- i walked off the jury and into my next job, so no break-boo hoo.

But, yes i'd do it again

Salmon swim upstream

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Oh and i got paid $6 a day bus money!

That was fine for my fellow jurors who were all employed, but it didn't help me pay the bills

Salmon swim upstream

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I must admit the thought of ever being charged with anything and being judged by a jury of my so called peers scares me sh*tless. Juries in NZ are more often made up of those who can afford the miserly pay instead of their normal, those who have nothing better to do and those in jobs that can easily do without them. The lawyers pushing for a huge shake up of the system reckon that kiwi juries are made up of the underclasses and less educated

I believe everyone should particpate and do their jury to the community we live in but its not always practical

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

i would love to give it a go, been called up twice but both times were smack bang in the middle of uni exams which was a pain

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Never been called up and wouldn't be opposed to it, but if it was some case of fraud or something then I'd do my utmost to find a way out of it. Some murder case or something about a vigilante would be awesome though. How much do you get paid to do it?

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

You don't get the choice of trial LG - once you're there, you can't wriggle your way out if you don't like what you've been selected for.

Unless the opposing counsel object to your presence on the jury, but then again that's not up to you.

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

loyalgunner wrote:

they pay for your travel costs each day- well, thats what they did in 2004 when i did it

Salmon swim upstream

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

You will be paid $31 for each half-day at court. (This rate increases for long trials and if you have to stay later than 6pm.) Under certain circumstances, an increase to juror fees and expenses may be authorised ï¿½ please talk to the Registrar or court staff for more information.

Rates of pay for jury service

First 5 days of attendance

Attendance on 6th and subsequent days

First 3 hours

$31

$40

Over 3 hours

$62

$80

6pm-9pm

$89

$114

After 9pm

$127

$163

Your employer is not legally required to pay you while you are on jury service. Some employers choose to reimburse employees for lost wages while on jury service, but this is up to the employer (& if they do pay you then the $62 per day goes to them)

you can also claim for transport or car parking

so for a person attending all five days whose employer doesnt want to reimburse him thats $310 - I cdn't pay my mortgage and fill my car with petrol on that let alone also eat for the week

stealthkiwi2010-05-10 12:55:13

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I waqs keen as when i got called up. Then got on a jury,and it was the most frustratinf experience of my life. Having a jury decide a law case is a completely flawed system...The sentiment behind it is an honourable one,but it is very flawed.

Allegedly

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I was on one a few years back ,it was interesting seeing how the mechanics of it all worked out .

The case was pretty dull the main thing I remember was the now Rugby union chairman Jock Hobbs being the prosecution lawyer for the Crown !

The answer to life's problems are rarely found at the bottom of a beer glass - but it's always worth a look.

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Tegal wrote:

Other jurors a bunch of complete muppets, eh?

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

el grapadura wrote:

Other jurors a bunch of complete muppets, eh?

If I was being done for murder (prob road or rave rage ) I'd want kermit, Ralph and Janice on my jury. And def not Miss Piggy, Gonzo or Fozzie Bear

stealthkiwi2010-05-10 15:09:23

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Yeah its just so wrong. I did vote yes by the way...since the question is 'would you do it' ,not 'do you agree with it'

Allegedly

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Yeah I too think it should be abolished.

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Arsenal wrote:

Yeah I too think it should be abolished.

But what replaces it? I met a guy 2 yrs ago whose job was as a Judges lawyer. Meaning that on big trials he researched info for the judge re the case and gave him the pertinant facts. He had previously taught law at a Uni and he told me that most criminal lawyers and judges are fairly hardened because day after day they sit through and hear about things the rest of us never dream of happening. In their own way they are cynical and biased and can easily believe the worse of people because they've heard it before

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

No system is perfect but I would far prefer a judge deciding, yes.

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

In a jury all it takes is one (or two)person(s) to be an idiot out of 12 and the case is a waste of time.

I sat through a case,the evidence was pretty damning...but a couple people on the jury wanted the guys face to be caught on camera before theyd convict. I tried explaining that during any robbery a balaclava would be worn etc,but they werent comfortable sending them to jail. There were other things too,like they started saying police planted evidence etc,when that wasnt even bought up as a possibility by the defence lawyer...

It was like theyve watched too much CSI. There was even a lot of racial prejudices (both ways,for and against).

It is just so so wrong. Yes judges wouldnt exactly be perfect either,but a jury is far worse.

Allegedly

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

a jury of our peers is meant to be fairer for both victims and the accused. Judges still tend to predominantly be culled frm white middle class male society which is hardly my peer in any shape or form.

If I was a rape victim I'd want a female judge preciding as certainly don't think a National voting male suit type will have any idea of the severity of the crime and how it affects the victim for life. At least with 12 people you hopefully get a broader range of expereinces under their belt

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I think with the jury reforms they are looking at a 10 majority rather than an all 12 agree type verdict

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Arsenal wrote:

No system is perfect but I would far prefer a judge deciding, yes.

Justice Wilson perhaps?

www.kiwifromthecouch.blogspot.com

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

stealthkiwi wrote:

ï¿½

I deleted a double post only for both of my posts to disappear.

I was saying that there are selection issues on juries too. i.e. you only get the old and bums turning up, no one else really wants to.

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

el grapadura wrote:

If I showed up in Klan robes, though, I could probably get out of it? Assuming the opposing council weren't racists.

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

A girl I know whose been 18 for less than a month got one today lmao.

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almost 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

loyalgunner wrote:

el grapadura wrote:

If I showed up in Klan robes, though, I could probably get out of it?ï¿½ Assuming the opposing council weren't racists.

Worth a try.

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