Chapter 5: The role of the citizen within the legal system - Jury service

Question 1

Juries

Answer 1

Juries are groups of 12 citizens

Question 2

Juries are groups of 12 citizens, randomly selected from the local electoral register.
What have they been shortlisted to do?

Answer 2

Juries have been shortlisted to hear a case in a court located in their own area

Question 3

What are juries normally expected to do?

Answer 3

Juries are normally expected to reach an unanimous verdict

Question 4

There have been concerns in recent years about those called for jury service trying to do what?

Answer 4

There have been concerns in recent years about those called for jury service trying to opt out for a range of reasons

Question 5

There have been concerns in recent years about those called for jury service trying to opt out for a range of reasons.
What has the government now done?

Answer 5

The government has now tightened up both the reasons why:

1. Some groups of people can be excluded
2. A person’s ability to try to not take part if called for jury service

Question 6

What did a Ministry of Justice spokesperson say?

Answer 6

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said:
‘‘Jury service is one of the most important civic duties that anyone can be asked to perform
It has served us well for hundreds of years and continues to deliver justice across the country every day’’

Question 7

Each year, how many people are called to serve on juries?

Answer 7

Each year, about 178,000 people are called to serve on juries

Question 8

Each year, about 178,000 people are called to serve on juries.
Being called does not necessarily mean that you will do what?

Answer 8

Being called does not necessarily mean that you will sit on a jury

Question 9

Each year, about 178,000 people are called to serve on juries.
Why does being called not necessarily mean that you will sit on a jury?

Answer 9

Being called does not necessarily mean that you will sit on a jury, because:

1. Sometimes the offender changes their plea, so a jury is not required
2. More people are called than are needed, so you may not be required

Question 10

Each year, about 178,000 people are called to serve on juries.
Being called does not necessarily mean that you will sit on a jury, because sometimes the offender changes their plea, so a jury is not required and more people are called than are needed, so you may not be required.
What is also possible?

Answer 10

It is also possible for lawyers in the court to object to an individual being on a jury

Question 11

Each year, about 178,000 people are called to serve on juries.
Being called does not necessarily mean that you will sit on a jury, because sometimes the offender changes their plea, so a jury is not required and more people are called than are needed, so you may not be required.
It is also possible for lawyers in the court to object to an individual being on a jury, often due to what?

Answer 11

It is also possible for lawyers in the court to object to an individual being on a jury, often due to:
1. The gender
Or,
2. Age balance of those put forward

Question 12

If you do not turn up to jury service, what happens?

Answer 12

If you do not turn up to jury service, a £1,000 fine will be imposed

Question 13

What are some people not eligible to do?

Answer 13

Some people are not eligible to serve on a jury:

1. Those under 18, or over 75 at present
2. Most criminals and those on bail
3. Those who do not meet certain residency qualifications
4. People who have certain jobs are excluded

Question 14

What is it possible to do to be exempt from jury service?

Answer 14

It is possible to apply to the court to be exempt from serving

Question 15

Because of jury service, what can you claim?

Answer 15

Because of jury service, you can claim:

1. Some loss of earnings
2. Child-minding costs

Question 16

Juries are groups of 12 citizens, randomly selected from the local electoral register.
What is one of the jurors appointed?

Answer 16

One of the jurors is appointed the foreman of the jury

Question 17

What does the jury do?

Answer 17

The jury:

1. Hears all the evidence presented to the court
2. Receives a summing up of the evidence from the judge

Question 18

The jury hears all the evidence presented to the court and receives a summing up of the evidence from the judge.
What will this summarise?

Answer 18

This will summarise the key questions the jury needs to agree upon in order to reach a verdict

Question 19

The jury hears all the evidence presented to the court and receives a summing up of the evidence from the judge.
This will summarise the key questions the jury needs to agree upon in order to reach a verdict.
What happens if all 12 members of the jury cannot agree a common verdict?

Answer 19

If all 12 members of the jury cannot agree a common verdict, they:

1. Will return to the court and ask the judge whether he, or she will accept a majority verdict of at most 10 votes to 2 votes
2. May also ask for further clarification on points of law

Question 20

What does a jury only do, in relation to the judge?

Answer 20

1. A jury only announces the verdict

2. The judge determines the sentence to be given

Question 21

Jury service

Answer 21

1. Jury service is when citizens are required to serve on juries as a civic duty
2. 12 people serve
3. They are selected at random from the register of voters

Question 22

Juries are groups of 12 citizens, randomly selected from what?

Answer 22

Juries are groups of 12 citizens, randomly selected from the local electoral register

Question 23

Juries have been shortlisted to hear a case in a court located in their own area.
They jointly determine what?

Answer 23

Juries jointly determine the verdict of the case

Question 24

Juries have been shortlisted to hear a case in a court located in their own area.
Juries jointly determine the verdict of the case, making a decision based on what?

Answer 24

Juries jointly determine the verdict of the case, making a decision based on the:

1. Facts
2. Evidence

Question 25

Juries have been shortlisted to hear a case in a court located in their own area.
Juries jointly determine the verdict of the case, making a decision based on the facts and evidence, in consultation with who on rules of law?

Answer 25

Juries jointly determine the verdict of the case, making a decision based on the:
1. Facts
2. Evidence
,in consultation with the judge on rules of law

Question 26

Juries are normally expected to reach an unanimous verdict, but judges can allow them to reach a what?

Answer 26

Juries are normally expected to reach an unanimous verdict, but judges can allow them to reach a majority verdict with:
1. One
Or,
2. 2
jurors disagreeing with the majority

Question 27

Juries are groups of 12 citizens, randomly selected from the local electoral register.
One of the jurors is appointed the foreman of the jury and does what?

Answer 27

One of the jurors is appointed the foreman of the jury and:

1. Chairs the meeting in the jury room
2. Reads out the verdict of the jury to the court