Have you got out of it? how?
Why do we have to do it? some clearly do now wish to?
Is it the best way to serve out justice?
Would a paid panel of people with some training serve us better?
I have no wish to sit on one, none at all yet I can be fined for saying no.
What do you think?
Surely press ganging me or others who think as I do serves no purpose?

Dear Belly,

Have you ever sat on a jury? Who knows - it may not be as bad as you think, (or I suppose it could be worse).

People often assume that when it comes to making decisions, two heads,
or preferably several heads, are better than one. A lot of people have great faith in democratic decision making, believing that group decisions are likely to be wiser than decisions made by individuals acting alone.

I suppose it depends to some extent on the problem that has to be solved. If the problem is a complex one, involving specialized knowledge, the efficiency of the group is far superior to that of an individual, because group members can contribute a broader range of expertise and skills.

I think our jury system works rather well. Although jury members often begin their discussions in disagreement or uncertainty, they tend to move towards a common opinion and usually render a unanimous verdict. It has long been assumed that in arriving at a group consensus, groups are likely to make less risky decisions than individuals. Nobody feels personally accountable in a group - especially if the decision turns out to be the wrong one.

I sympathise with your not wanting to go on "jury duty." But, it is something I believe should be done by everyone at least once.
And as I said earlier - it may turn out to be interesting.

In this matter Foxy we disagree freedom to just say no I do not want to sit in judgment does not exist.
We are forced to search for a reason or just lie to get out of it.
So very many people have truly important work to do, this is not even taken into account.
The wages! how can some one who earns so very much more be paid bread and water wages while maybe a self owned business floats away for a week month or more?
Other hope for a call up but what level of knowledge is needed to judge others?
Are some aware not every thing a police officer says is true? or of the long history of proving lies they tell?
How many trials have fallen after weeks of evidence as some juror refuses to convict no matter what the evidence?
Can some one inform us of the America grand jury system what it is and how it works?

belly, juries are one of the few ways that ordinary people can resist oppression by the elite. it is the duty and responsibility of the jury to protect the innocent from crooked police and uncaring or politically motivated judges.

the form of jury duty is traditional and neither as effective as it might be, nor as simple. i would investigate the use of the web and polling to get the opinion of the electorate. but the jury is what we've got, we must protect it.

in your case, you might get out of serving simply by saying "i'm old, my mind wanders, i'm afraid always of responsibility." they may well excuse you.

This kinda reminds me of the people who whinge and moan about the inconvenience of security. You ask that your tax monies help protect you from the nasty people of the world but demand that the people protecting you don't intrude on my civil liberties...

'Cakes, and eating them'.

What are our other options for a democratic jury Belly?. Professional jurors?. Three months, and they'll be bought.

How about 'Opt out' for jury duty?. How many people would actually NOT opt out?. People with agenda's and grudges, me thinks. People like you, Belly, are the reason there IS a fine for not doing it without reasonable excuse. You want to belong to a democratic society but don't want to pay for it personally?.

Move to an South American country, or Eastern bloc, or Africa, Belly. It'll be paradise where someone tells you who to vote for, dury duty is null and void, if you wnat security you can pay for your own army, health care tax is a non issue...

Belly asks

Would a paid panel of people with some training serve us better?

Comment
Can you think of a paid pannel that is possibly corrupt.
As soon as yoyu introduce a pannel, postion at top, power - You introduce the temptation for misuse.

That is why we have Jurys.

It seems a small price to pay. Although you only have to look at Old X Premier Joe in QLD to know its not impossible to stack a jury if you know people either. However in general =

Here is a list of people and you choose who you would rather trust.

Police

Government

Several ordinary people from the public.