Qualifcation, selection and appointment of juries (8 marks).

Question 1

Rules + Qualifications,

Answer 1

• Contained in Juries Act 1974 (amended by Crim Justice Act 2003 // Crim Justice and Courts Act 2015).
• Must be 18-75, on electoral register, resident of UK for 5 years since age of 13.

Question 2

Disqualifications.

Answer 2

• Imprisoned for life, or for 5+ years means life disqualification.
• Less than 5 years in prison, suspended sentence or community order means 10 year disqualification.
• On bail means disqualified.
• Up to £5000 for showing up disqualified.

Question 3

Ineligibility.

Answer 3

• Mental health issues, lack of English speaking, deafness, disabilities.
• Deferral for “good reason” of up to 12 months for holidays, exams etc.
• Excusal given if cannot undertake jury within 12 months, such as being a fulltime carer.
• Excusal can be given if done jury service in past 2 years.

Question 4

Selection.

Answer 4

• Jury Central Summoning Bureau randomly selects names from electoral register
• 150 sent out every two weeks, £1000 fine for ignoring them.
• All jurors expected to attend for 2 weeks.
• In waiting area in court, people randomly divided into 2 groups of 15.
• 12 names selected from shuffled pack of cards

Question 5

What are the checks and challenges after being selected?

Answer 5

• Vetting (DBS checks) can disqualify certain candidates.
• Jury can be challenge 3 ways
• “to the array” ~ VERY rare, unrepresentative and unbiased, can’t just be because not biracial.
• “for cause” ~ challenge individual juror, if defendant knows them for example.]
• “stand by” ~ Juror put to end of list if not able to follow complex case.

Question 6

Appointment.

Answer 6

• Jury enters jury box and is sworn in by oath, and can affirm if Athiest.