Anyone for Jury Service

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Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 2:02 pm

Found this on the BBC website

Woman, 108, gets jury duty call

A woman who celebrated her 108th birthday at the weekend has been called for jury duty despite being more than 40 years over the age limit.

Marion Richardson, from Airdrie in North Lanarkshire, has told how she had a great laugh when learned she had been selected as a potential juror.

Her family contacted the sheriff clerk's office to see if she qualified for exemption because of her age.

They were told the age limit for jurors was actually 65.

The Scottish Government last year outlined proposals to raise the limit to 70.

Mrs Richardson is believed to be the oldest person in North Lanarkshire.

She received a letter last week which informed her she had been listed as a potential juror for a forthcoming trial at Airdrie Sheriff Court.

Her grandson, David Gracie, 64, told the BBC news website: "The letter gave us a right hoot.

"My sister contacted the court to let them know that grandmother was 108 years old.

“ We have been telling everyone the jury duty story. It has given us a great laugh ”
David Gracie
Grandson

"I think jury selection is done using the voters' roll and that does not list ages, so no-one is at fault. It is just something that happens."
Mrs Richardson still lives in her own home in Airdrie with her daughter.

She was born in Peebles in 1901 and moved to Lanarkshire with her husband, Charles, when she was 19.

She had three children, 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 21 great great-grandchildren.

Mr Gracie added: "Believe me if she had been fit for it, and allowed to, she would have gone and done her jury duty.

"She is always game for a laugh and her mind is still very active."

Her grandson told how she keeps busy by being involved with her local church and various organisations.

He added: "You should have seen her house for her birthday on Saturday.

"There were visitors coming and going from 10 in the morning till after eight at night.

"We have been telling everyone the jury duty story. It has given us a great laugh."

Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 3:26 pm

There's a box on the form to be ticked if you're over 70. This could be the fault of whoever filled in the form.

Baiting Guru Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 3123

I think it's terrible that their is a limit at all. What is to say that a 75 year old doesn't have the same abilities as a 30 year old juror?

Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:09 am

Well, I for one...

...wait, I forgot what I was going to say.

I'm going to take a nap, then...

...if I can remember...

I'll answer...

Did you have a question? Wink

Isn't setting an upper age limit more a function of mobility than ability? Maybe it is a function of senility (which starts much earlier than 75). Maybe it is a matter of respect and a sense that the "elderly" have done there service to the society and now the younger folks need to step up and start taking their turn.

I dunno, I am not sure I would want some of the 30 year olds I know on a jury that I was depending on. The same is true for some 75 year olds. Confused

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 5:16 am

Pity the age limit doesn't also apply to the Judges