“I don't think people need to be better educated,

but to fully understand what is being asked of them, those who attend jury duties should be engaged more frequently.

In the United States judicial system - they have silly "Show" Trials where the councillors may approach both the bench, the accused, the court and the Jury. But throughout the trial the members of the Jury are engaged.

Jargon is limited to cases where it is absolutely necessary, and Jurers are selected based on their likelihood of understanding.

I am not saying we have shouting barristers, pleading to the jury to find this man guilty.. etc.. but what I think would be helpful is if the legal language was kept to a minimum, and laymans terms about what someone had actually done wrong, and what charges the prosecution were trying to bring would be helpful. Having regular breaks, having an usher keep an eye on the jury to ensure they don't fall asleep. In boring cases which require a high level of understanding such as commercial cases or detailed legal cases, an impartial jury with knowledge of that field would be advantageous, but where possible jury selection should not be an elitist process, otherwise we won't be judged by our peers, but our presumed superiors, and that would be unjust.

No you shouldn't be allowed to abstain from Jury Duty just because you want to.
No one should be listening to music in court on headphones - it is contempt. If you have the option not to be there, then don't go. If you do, then it is your place of duty.

How would you feel if you were the one in the dock and the outcome of your trial rested on someone who wasn't paying attention?”

“Talking to a top Barrister about a case and the outcome. The Court is not interested in the truth, they are only interested in evidence put before them. Made up or other wise. Solicitors and Barristers set out to baffle some juries by jargon and B/S.

Speaking of my own clash with the magistrate court in a minor case. First item against me, post code. Soon as Braunstone was mentioned I was guilty. Second my inability to address the bench as Sir. Case lost. Strange old world.”

“We need judges and barristers that are not out of touch with normal life, as so many are today.”