Re: Jury Service
Ok
What actually happens then when you attend?
First of all you may be picked out from any number of people that were called as you wait outside.
You don't know who is who so best say nothing as some may be the defendents/relatives/friends etc.
When called you go into the courtroom and the usher explains the
procedure which takes several minuites.
then in come the legal teams who may or may not challenge a jurer. if they do another is called from those on standby
Then the swearing in on the bible or whatever the jurors religion is.
Next comes in the judge when you all stand until he sits down.
The the defendant is called and the charges against read out
Then the prosecution and defence teams question any witnesses. The defendant need not make any statement from the dock, only answer the questions put.
When all sides are heard you go into a room and locked it to deliberate the case, choosing a spokes person at the same time.
when you all come to a decision then you ask to be let out and return to the jury bench
the Judge asks if you have come to a unanimous decision from the spokes person.
if guilty then previous charges are read out and sentence given. then you are dismissed
You are not allowed to talk about it to anyone apart from fellow jurers
Hope this helps