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No automatic jury service excusal No automatic jury service excusal
(about 2 hours later)
No-one should automatically be excusable from jury service simply because of their job, new proposals are set to recommend.No-one should automatically be excusable from jury service simply because of their job, new proposals are set to recommend.
The government is hoping to widen the jury pool so they "can be more truly representative of society".The government is hoping to widen the jury pool so they "can be more truly representative of society".
The current system of specifying categories of people as disqualified or excusable as of right from jury service would be replaced.The current system of specifying categories of people as disqualified or excusable as of right from jury service would be replaced.
Anyone chosen could make an application for deferral or to be excused. However, people convicted of a serious crime will still be exempt.
Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson said: "Expanding the pool of potential jurors will ensure that juries are not deprived of the broad range of skills and experience to be found in the community."Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson said: "Expanding the pool of potential jurors will ensure that juries are not deprived of the broad range of skills and experience to be found in the community."
He added: "When a jury reaches a verdict, it is not only making a decision that affects the individual defendant, it is also making a decision that affects society at large.He added: "When a jury reaches a verdict, it is not only making a decision that affects the individual defendant, it is also making a decision that affects society at large.
"It is for this reason that the government regards jury service as one of the most important civic duties that anyone can be asked to perform. Few decisions made by members of the public have such an impact as a jury's verdict"."It is for this reason that the government regards jury service as one of the most important civic duties that anyone can be asked to perform. Few decisions made by members of the public have such an impact as a jury's verdict".
"I welcome the proposals and I would urge all with an interest to contribute to this important consultation.""I welcome the proposals and I would urge all with an interest to contribute to this important consultation."
Anyone selected for duty will be able to make an application for deferral or to be excused.