Jury service in the UK

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Do you think jury service in the USA and the UK are different?

In what cases do people not qualify for jury service? Share your ideas in the class and then read the text to find the answers.

Jurors have an important role in the criminal justice system, and must decide, based on the facts and the evidence presented, whether a defendant is guilty or not guilty. You do not need any knowledge of the legal system to be a juror and certainly the experiences and knowledge of each person summoned to serve will differ.

Jurors usually try the more serious criminal cases such as murder, rape, assault, burglary or fraud where they are heard by a jury of 12 people and a judge. These trials take place in the Crown Court. Sometimes jurors are needed in a civil case such as libel. When it happens, the trial will take place in the High Court or a county court.

For most people, jury service is interesting and something they will do only once or twice in their lifetime. However, the extra travelling, or the responsibility, may be a strain.

As a juror you would normally be asked to serve a period of ten working days and during that time could sit on more than one case. Of course, if a trial takes longer, the jury would be expected to sit for its duration, but you would be entitled to receive expenses during the course of the trial. You can obtain all the necessary information about court facilities and also about claiming travel and other expenses from the Crown Court where you have been asked to attend. Staff there will be able to provide you with information. In addition, a member of the Court Service staff will be available to answer any queries you may have and will also show you a video, which can be watched or listened to, about jury service before your service commences.

Jurors are chosen at random from the electoral roll to serve on a jury. They are asked to take an impartial approach to the case to ensure that a fair trial takes place. If summoned, you are legally required to serve on a jury unless you are ineligible for, or disqualified from, jury service. You must reply to the Jury Summons within 7 days of receipt.

VOCABULARY

Fraud – обман, мошенничество

Libel – клевета, диффамация

Strain – напряжение, нагрузка

To be entitled – иметь право

Expenses - расходы

Impartial approach – беспристрастный, объективный подход

To ensure – обеспечивать, гарантировать

To commence - начинаться

TASKS

Say whether these sentences are true or false.

The jury’s decision about the guilt of a defendant is based on the opinion of the judge.