neil248

Has anyone here been called for jury service in Queensland.

It would be good to hear any experiences.

Have just received the letter and is really the last thing I need at the moment
given family and work issues are in a bad way

Cheers

Alfresco

I assume only citizens can get called?

neil248

That is correct as the selection is computer generated from the electoral role.
Only citizens are on the electoral role.

roaringmouse

Not completely correct - or Qld specific requirements.

Swerv-o

There will be exemptions based upon previous employment, legal knowledge etc. If it's going to be traumatic for you, then you should see if any of the exemptions apply.

I was able to have myself removed from the Jury Service eligibility list in NSW owing to previous employment experience.

I understand that Jury Service is a civic duty, however, it can often be a very challenging role to perform, and the level of challenge is very dependent upon the case in question.


S

cresta57

Didn't someone famous say "It's a worry when your judged by 12 people to stupid to be able to get out of doing jury service"

That said, I've done jury service in Qld, I've been selected for it 4 times [excused once as I lived in the same street as the accused]
I wasn't particularly busy last time & actually sat on the jury for 2 weeks. It was an experience that changed my outlook on QPS for the negative. I watched several officers stand in the witness box & lie under oath. I'd actually worked for one of the officers who gave evidence, though I didn't put two & two together until after he'd given evidence as we hadn't actually met.
We found the accused innocent after hearing a tape made at the time of arrest that proved lies were told. I realise not every officer would lie under oath, I expected none would
Do a search on here, there's a few threads about it.

Pollyana

Interested to read that about exemptions. Having worked for the police for many years back home I wonder if that would make me exempt if I ever get called. I know I shouldn't make comparisons, but having read so many statements and case details over the years I know my brain would automatically be thinking of similar cases.

Swerv-o

That was exacty the reason I used. I sent them a copy of my confirmation certificate and they were quite happy to strike me from the register.


S

Pollyana

I shall remember that in case I ever get called Thanks!

KJCherokee

I've been called for jury service twice (in Queensland): both times my employer applied for exemption on the basis that my work was critical to the project we were working on and I was excused both times.

macy

I didn't get my employee involved as I was told it is thought better if it is personal circumstances that you can't make it, I explained in a letter that I had two children and was responsible for their after school care and had no childcare in place if I had to do jury service (all true) and therefore I was unable to commit to jury duty outside of school hours, my jury duty was due to take place in the June school holidays and I never get called up to do it. I wouldn't have minded doing it as I thought it might be quite interesting but circumstances at the moment meant I couldn't.

moneypenny20

First Born got called at the beginning of the year. She couldn't think of a good enough reason to get an exemption and was interested to see what went on. Turned out Uni would have got her off it if she wanted out. Anyway ended up not being needed first and second day, third day got there but wasn't chosen because she was a young female and the guy was being done for rape so that was the end of her Jury experience.

Swerv-o

Yes, that's always the risk with Jury Service - An acquaintance of mine had to do Jury service some years ago, and initially thought it was a great wheze for getting off of work. Unfortunately, she had to sit through many hours of recordings of a man abusing a kid. It really sickened her, and it took a long time for her to come to terms with it.

It's fine if you get something simple like a petty theft or something, but a long, drawn out case like that would be pretty hard work I think.


S

moneypenny20

She's 19, I honestly don't think anyone should be allowed to be called until they're at least 21, if not 25. 19 is way too young to make an informed decision based only on facts presented, let alone deal mentally with something nasty. Not sure how I'd cope if I had to sit on a child abuse case either.

lapin_windstar

I'm not in any way disagreeing with you but I think your comment is interesting when you consider that the defendant is presumed to have had just as much maturity and criminal responsibility at the moment they are alleged to have committed the crime.