disqualifications

• In what circumstances would a person be permanently excused from serving as a juror?

  • Sentenced to imprisonment, detention, or custody for life.
  • Sentenced to imprisonment or detention for public protection.
  • Sentenced to an extended sentence.
  • Sentenced to 5 years or more of imprisonment or detention.
• In what circumstances would a person be excused for serving as a juror for 10 years?

  • At any time in the last 10 years had a sentence of imprisonment.
  • At any time in the last 10 years had a suspended sentence.
  • At any time in the last 10 years had a community sentence.
• Other than people who have been given a sentence, what type of people cannot serve on a jury?

  Mentally disordered people and anyone who is currently on bail in criminal proceedings.
• What happens if a disqualified person fails to disclose that fact and turn up for jury service?

  They may be fined up to £5000.
• Who has the right to be excused from serving as a juror?

  Full-time serving members of the forces will be excused if their commanding officer certifies that their absence from duty would be prejudicial to the efficiency of their service.
• Who no longer have the right to be excused from serving as a juror?

  The Criminal Justice Act 2003 abolished that people in certain essential occupations, such as doctors and pharmacists, had the right to be excused from serving as a juror.
• What is a discretionary excusal?

  Where people have problems which make it very difficult for them to serve as a juror, they can ask for their period of service to be at a later date.
• What are reasons for a discretionary excusal?

  • Being too ill to attend court.
  • Suffering from a disability that makes it impossible for them to serve as a juror.
  • Business appointments that can't be attended by others.
  • Being a mother with a small baby.
  • Exams
  • Booked holidays.
• Are lawyers and police officers eligible for serving as a juror?

  Yes: The Criminal Justice Act 2003 abolished that those who had been involved in the administration of justice within the previous 10 years were ineligible for serving as a juror.
• Why are people sceptical about lawyers serving as jurors?

  They believe this could lead to bias or to a legally well-qualified juror influencing the rest of the jury.
• Who issued observations to judges who are called for jury service?

  Lord Woolf
• What were Lord Woolf's issued observations t o judges who are called for jury service?

  • Excusal from jury service will only be granted in extreme circumstances.
  • If a judge knows the presiding judge/other person, they should raise the issue.
  • Judges must follow the directions given by the trial judge on the law and not correct guidance which they believe to be inaccurate,