Jurification

Well.....

I didn't even make a point of it but on Christmas Eve this year it was my 5 year anniversary of living in this country. The 8th of January was my 5 year anniversary of working for BAC. I didn't make a lot of that at all, I don't do birthdays and celebrations like that and anniversaries in general have never meant anything at all to me (which makes remembering other people's birthdays and special dates REALLY hard!)

Anyway... I have this feeling that it was no coincidence that Saturday I suddenly got a letter which said that because I was on the electoral role I was asked to be a potential juror and that I had to return the letter within 7 days (or otherwise get a fine of upto 250 pounds) saying when I was going on holiday so they would know not to invite me then.

Of course, my initial reaction was 'oh this is not for me' since I am not even allowed to vote for this countries government. Strangely enough I am allowed to vote for the local government but I am ashamed to say that I can't care enough to actually get to the voting place so I let my vote pass. I even wondered if I still wanted to be on the electoral role last time they asked us (they always send a letter to confirm you are still alive, kicking and want to participate in the voting). Since I didn't have a clue if that would have any effect on my status in this country I thought I'd better...

So, I thought I would have a good look at the back of the letter which stated lists with ineligible people (like policemen, lawyers and people who have ever had a more negative run in with the law) and other reasons why you couldn't partake but 'being Dutch' was not one of them! It did say that you can only partake if you have been in this country for more than 5 years.

Now... can it be coincidence that 5 years after starting my job with the Big American Company I suddenly get this letter with this invitation? I wonder how that all works!

Anyway.... for a Dutch (and very curious) person like me this is SO exciting.. I mean.. in Holland we don't have juries, we have a judge or 3 judges if it is serious stuff but that is it. As I understand it in Scotland there are 15 jurors in each case (dear me) which are chosen by the lawyers of the prosecutor and defender I think. If this is really going to happen I do have to read up on it a bit more!

Apparently this entire process is normally considered by normal people to be a 'drag'. Something that if it happens you are not happy because you need to travel to the court, be off work and... well sorry.. for the life of me I can't think of any negatives about it. To me it all sounds like good fun, something to look forward to, a new experience.

So.. now it is waiting for the invitation.. listening to people who have had experiences with this (= read blogs) when you get one of these letters, the invitation is imminent. All that then needs to happen is that somebody actually wants you on their jury.

I will keep you informed! :-)