They are also forbidden from doing their own research and are told to disregard anything they may happen to read in the press. There are different rules for jury service in Scotland and jury service in Northern Ireland. There is a separate entrance for jurors to enter a court, and all jurors are searched and have to go through scanners. This court is Active. My DF had to be smuggled out the court incognito after he was a juror on a Crown Court case. The judge is responsible for ensuring that the trial is conducted fairly, resolving any legal . The jury trial is an exciting feature of our criminal justice system. You also need to declare if you know anyone in the waiting room. Not Guilty Rape - Harrow Crown Court 2022 Author James O'Donnell Our client was acquitted by a jury at Harrow crown court following a false allegation. Claiming juror allowances. You are not allowed to leave the building at any time apart from within this hour. "In Elantra, a job well done is rewarded with a more dangerous task. All jurors receive at least 34 cents for each mile they travel to court. 10. There is free public parking at or nearby this court. It may seem strange for a journalist, especially one of almost ten years experience, to have little idea of what jury service entails but that is because this fascinating curiosity of public duty is shrouded by a fog of secrecy and legal protections. The case I was involved in had little material evidence so it was almost entirely down to dispassionately taking these elements into consideration but also seemingly insignificant nuances like body language and the frequency of inconsistencies laid out for each charge. Add message Save Share Report Bookmark If you are self employed and wish to claim for loss of earnings, you need to provide some form of documentary proof that you have lost money as a consequence of being a juror. We will consider your feedback to help improve the site. At 8am on Monday, just as thousands of English and Welsh citizens set off for their local crown court to serve on a jury, the lord chief justice announced that no new jury trials would take place . Watch Attenborough-like as social cliques and class-bound groupings form all around you particularly highlighted when you spot those who gather to go out together for lunch. A foreman will be selected, largely, it seems, through a somewhat fraught process of working out who has the most respectable job, social position or the most dominant personality. To help us improve GOV.UK, wed like to know more about your visit today. I am doing jury service next month and would like to continue commuting by bike. When the Crown Court is conducting a trial, the judge sits with a jury of twelve; when hearing appeals against decisions of a magistrates' court, the judge sits . You can watch a video about jury service. Don't be surprised if your first show of hands at the outset of your deliberation doesn't reflect your final collective decision. For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk, Application and payment queries can be emailed toema_ni@slc.co.uk. Complete a jury notice Form of Return online. You can defer it to a future date if, for instance, it clashes with your long-planned holiday but the only other escape route is if youre a convicted criminal. Over a lifetime, BBC sources estimated there is only a 35% chance that a person in England or Wales will be summoned for jury service, so dont hold your breath. For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by emailgro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk. 9. Until you are selected by the clerk, you will have to hang around in the jurors' room. Those not chosen for a case, when taken down to court, will return to the waiting area. If no decision can be reached, then the panel is considered a hung jury. If the crown still intends to prosecute they must start over with a new jury. Magistrates' Court work 102 Petty France, 1st Floor, Zone A, London, SW1H 9EA DX 161330 Westminster 11 Around seven weeks hence, I was to be at Grimsby Crown Court for jury service lasting up to ten days, maybe even longer. Not sure if Morrisons at Thamesmead has a limit on how long you can stay but it is free. All expenses incurred are paid into your bank account after your jury service has finished. The latest breaking news, comment and features from The Independent. If you live in Northern Ireland you can contact the Jury Management Team on: 028 7126 1329. I became very good at looking straight ahead of me and walking purposefully! Government stats suggest that between 2008 and 2011 the Jury Central Summoning Bureau summoned under 380,000 and supplied under 180,000 jurors to the court on average per year. If you can't settle on what the term means precisely, you could instead let each juror go with their gut instinct, having absorbed all the evidence. If your query is about another benefit, select Other from the drop-down menu above. This is the perfect chance to tackle that big book you've been meaning to read devoid of any life interruptions. Scammers are mimicking genuine HMCTS phone numbers and email addresses. It could have comically ended again right here, but I was the eighth winner of the jury prize draw. You could also call the Crown Prosecution Service. They may demand payment and claim to be from HMRC or enforcement. recieved to do a jury summons for febuary for a court 26 miles away, but there is a crown court about 4 miles away, can i as if i can do jury service at the court nearer to me. We believe that this is the best way to ensure that verdicts are fair, reasonable and unbiased. Performing jury service will give you the opportunity to play a vital role . They read out around 30 names at random and those people are taken down to court. Five interview rooms are available at this court. Applications must be considered carefully, sympathetically and with regard to the individual circumstances of the applicant. Even a seasoned court reporter would have little idea of the minutiae of what goes on behind the scenes during jury service as those involved in it cannot be approached or questioned. He remains in a critical but stable condition, according to the Met. About Jury Service. You have lived in the UK, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands for the last 5 years since you were 13 . If this goes over 10 hours a day the court will pay you 12.17 per day. Youve accepted additional cookies. The process will begin with a letter arriving in the post saying you have been randomly selected to undertake two weeks of jury service. If youve ever been on a jury, chances are youve kept some poor lawyer up at night. The role of the foreman is crucial in defusing arguments and ensuring each juror has their fair say. One by one, our verdicts for each charge were read out, one in particular inspiring a gasp from the public gallery. However very casual clothing such as shorts or clothing with inappropriate logos or slogans are not allowed. It was only at this point the power and responsibility we were handed fully hit home. You may have heard people use the rather dramatic term beyond reasonable doubt. Even when a suspect is charged, very few require a jury trial because most defendants are either dealt with in the magistrates court, plead guilty or see the prosecutions case collapse before trial. In such instances, the court may invite a majority verdict. Something went wrong, please try again later. That moment will stay with you for ever as will those intense hours of deliberation with your fellow jurors. This could be due to unusual hardship, inability to speak English, a pre-booked holiday, operation or exam; or because your employer refuses to give you time off work. Contact us : Email the reporter who wrote this story . Luckily, with Grimsby being a smaller court, you are unlikely to ever end up on such a gargantuan trial with three weeks being about the limit; nor will you ever face an accused murderer. If you have a disability and need help coming to a hearing, please contact In a way, it is also comforting that, in the event of any potentially shaky prosecution, no matter how aggressively or expensively it is pursued, a few ordinary folk can slam the brakes on the whole runaway train. Sometimes, jury service can be distressing. They cannot talk to anyone else about the case. This prosecutor will be able to answer your question. Trusted by over 3 million drivers across the UK. 020 8424 2294. Harrow Crown Court Hailsham Drive, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 4TU 020 8424 2294 Send email Visit website View Accessibility Symbols View photos View on a map Access Guide Show Easy Read Easy Read Print/Save as PDF Something changed? Jurors reported struggling to readjust to life after essentially being legally bound to be holed up in a courtroom for hundreds of hours. He was charged with an allegation of stranger rape. The teenager's parents were sentenced at Swansea Crown Court by Mr Justice Griffiths. Don't include any personal or financial information, for example National Insurance, credit card numbers, or phone numbers. If you dread the idea of doing it, take solace in the fact the Ministry Of Justice estimate only a 35 or so per cent chance of any one person being selected in their entire lifetime. Get an interpreter at a court or tribunal. No such luck this time though and the day eventually came when I strolled down Town Hall Street and casually waltzed into the unknown, greeted by the disarmingly friendly security staff at the door. Jurors are taken up to a waiting room which looks almost like an airport lounge. Even after a case a juror must never discuss or reveal what took place in the privacy of their jury room, as this would, again, amount to contempt of court. . Court open 08:30 - 17:30 Counter open 09:00 - 17:00 Email Enquiries harrowcrowncourt@justice.gov.uk Citizens advice harrow.cc@citizensadvice.org.uk Telephone Enquiries 020 8424 2294 Witness. Sarah Lloyd-Jones, 40, was imprisoned for six years while Alun Titford, 45, was told he would spend seven years and six months behind bars. You have rejected additional cookies. HA1 4TU, What to expect coming to a court or tribunal. A world where silk and jewels hide deadly secrets. Yet, as passionately opposed as you may be should you one day receive the same orderly missive I had in my hands, there is little wriggle room to avoid it. If a defendant is found not guilty, by the magistrate, jury or judge, they will be 'acquitted' and free to go. Juries, on the other hand, are black holes, not even having to justify their verdicts in any way. So plan ahead. For queries or advice about 60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contactSmartpass - Translink. The truth about Jury Service. You will witness the best and worst sides of humanity in that room. These are selected at random from the electoral register, and there are over 45 million people on the register. Youll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial. I work weekends and my employer doesn't pay so have filled out the certificate of loss of earnings for the three days I work during the week. Crown Court work (including RASSO and Homicide) 102 Petty France, 1st Floor, Zone B, London, SW1H 9EA DX 161330 Westminster 11 Email: General Crown Court enquiries: London.crowncourt@cps.gov.uk.cjsm.net. and Henriques J). READ MORE: Man charged with murder of 48-year-old in Harrow. The 27-year-old man was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. At this point we briefly regrouped, some a bit teary-eyed, maybe surprised how that envelope landing on their doormats had ended in such an unforgettably bizarre experience that we may never have again. This is a new service your feedback will help us to improve it. Within an hour of arriving, I soon realised I was the juror from last week being the only one who had agreed to return and was soon whisked to Court Two with 14 others. If the jury arent sure of the defendants guilt, they must acquit. The court won't pay you to do jury service, but you can claim expenses such as food, drink and travel. If the trial is likely to last longer than 10 days, jury staff will let you know. Different jurors have vastly different experiences. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Follow Grimsby Live on Facebook - Like our Facebook page to get the latest news in your feed and join in the lively discussions in the comments. Harrow Crown Court Crown Court - Harrow Court #468. Call 0800 587 0912 Crown Court at Manchester [2002] UKHL 39, [2002] 3 WLR 313 and on the decision of the Divisional Court in R (on the application of M) v Inner London Crown Court [2003] EWHC 301 (Admin) (Rose L.J. For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service. Youll be able to claim up to: Youll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended. We've already received a thorough whys-and-wherefores guide from HM Courts and Tribunals Service but undergo a detailed induction, including video presentation, anyway. There are considerable differences in the nature of the cases that come through the courts. A jurys decision must usually be unanimous. Follow us on Twitter - For breaking news and the latest stories, click here to follow Grimsby Live on Twitter . For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net. Your employer can choose whether or not to pay you during your service. This may increase if your time on jury service is extended. Hello i have to attend jurry service on Monday and my letter tells me to br thier for 9am but I recived a email telling me to be thier for 2pm I did not get this email until 10 minutes after the court close for the weekend I just don't know what to do as I am a good hour and a half away at that time off the morning so I can't even ring them to check in the morning dose anyone have any advice. Receiving a jury notice. I have been cited for jury duty on 10/5/2021.l cannot remember thedates of the last time I was cited. Others still speculate tirelessly, tearing their hair out and over-analysing your crossed arms or stern expression. If the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty by the judge or jury, they are convicted and the judge will pass sentence. You have to sign in with your ID and unique juror number, which you are given. I was not chosen.I was given a day off on Tuesday but had to attend on Wednesday. I was going to drive which would take 20mins but it appears there are no car parks for more than a max of 2 hours anywhere near. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Your name was chosen randomly from the electoral register. We believe that this is the best way to ensure that verdicts are fair, reasonable and unbiased. But it wasnt the defendant who reacted the most obviously. You can also claim some expenses, for example travel. Now, through no choice of their own, theyd been handed a task ominously described by the Government as one of the most important civic duties that anyone can be asked to perform. Commutting to Wolwich Crown Court for Jury service. Your employer must let you have time off work, but can ask you to delay your jury service if your absence will have a serious effect on their business. But there was to be little relief with this finale. These 12 ordinary people - from students just starting out in adult life to retirees had been tasked with deciding the fate of the accused, determining if beyond reasonable doubt they will be forever branded as a heinous criminal and whisked away to face years behind bars. Cases in the Crown Court are overseen by Circuit Judges or Recorders or, sometimes, for the most serious cases, High Court Judges. You think theyre with you, but theyll convict your client anyway. It might feel unsatisfactory and unscientific, particularly if it risks playing into some of the jurors' obvious prejudices about the defendants, but it will help break the deadlock. Next to that, a bookshelf atop which were board games and, not just any jigsaw, but a dastardly difficult Brussels sprouts puzzle. Most of what happens in the court is publicly reported, but the jury deliberates in private: jurors can only talk about the case when they are all together in the jury room. You can be called for jury service if: You are between the ages of 18 and 70. Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.