I have been observing Cases at Birmingham Crown Court and compared in two cases the make up of Jury's.
In one case the Jury was made up of 1 African & Caribbean, 2 Asians and 9 White members.
The other which I saw selected was all white.The are no issues for me with the jury selection as the Court selects from what has been made available for them.
However, as the Judge stated whilst instructing the Jurors of their responsibilities, he correctly pointed out they have been selected for service from the Electoral Register.
In a nutshell if your not on the electoral register, you just wont be selected for Jury Service.
During our voter registration clinics we have come across so many people from various communities but especially from the African & Caribbean community where some 6 out of 10 in some cases are not registered to vote, no matter this impacts upon Jury selection in terms of demographics.
Furthermore, I do hear many people complaining about the demographic make up of Jury's, however, is it not common sense that if you do not indicate your availability by ensuring that you are registered to vote, then you will never be considered for this very important aspect of civic duty.
It is time that all communities are aware of the importance of how to access all aspects of civic duty and ensure that they utilise the tools available to access them.
In this case to serve on a Jury you must be on the electoral register, so ensure that your registered to vote.
Please visit your local elections office for further information or www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or visit www.b-e-f.org.uk
Desmond Jaddoo
In one case the Jury was made up of 1 African & Caribbean, 2 Asians and 9 White members.
The other which I saw selected was all white.The are no issues for me with the jury selection as the Court selects from what has been made available for them.
However, as the Judge stated whilst instructing the Jurors of their responsibilities, he correctly pointed out they have been selected for service from the Electoral Register.
In a nutshell if your not on the electoral register, you just wont be selected for Jury Service.
During our voter registration clinics we have come across so many people from various communities but especially from the African & Caribbean community where some 6 out of 10 in some cases are not registered to vote, no matter this impacts upon Jury selection in terms of demographics.
Furthermore, I do hear many people complaining about the demographic make up of Jury's, however, is it not common sense that if you do not indicate your availability by ensuring that you are registered to vote, then you will never be considered for this very important aspect of civic duty.
It is time that all communities are aware of the importance of how to access all aspects of civic duty and ensure that they utilise the tools available to access them.
In this case to serve on a Jury you must be on the electoral register, so ensure that your registered to vote.
Please visit your local elections office for further information or www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or visit www.b-e-f.org.uk
Desmond Jaddoo