OHMS
Jonathan. Alas, they don’t use those initials, now – OHMS. On Her Majesty’s Service. That’s what used to be printed across the top of envelopes from government departments. These days they’re sent just like any other post. Not even a government-standard manilla envelope. So there was nothing external to give me any warning, or to raise my level of anticipation. It was a complete surprise to find this –
Jury Citation
It took no more than a moment to see myself at the High Court of Justiciary, in Edinburgh, all expenses paid, for weeks – or even months! – of hearing and sifting the evidence on some convoluted criminal case, the outcome of which would reaffirm – or perhaps diverge from? – some arcane and ancient precept of Scots Law. But then my eyes re-focussed from distant imaginings to the paper in my hand, where I found the words Lochmaddy Sheriff Court – in North Uist, just over an hour of driving from here. So. Petty Crime. Hmmm. Down to earth – with a bump!
I have served on a jury before. It was back in the mid 1980s when we were living in Barnsley, Yorkshire – so under English law. I spent a fortnight or so at Sheffield Crown Court on two criminal cases. My recollection is patchy. One case involved a young man and cars. (‘Twas ever thus! I suspect even Fred and Barney were in that kind of trouble before they got married and settled down.) We couldn’t come to a unanimous decision: eventually the judge sent us back to settle on a majority verdict.
Well, just six weeks to go. And then a little excitement to life! A very little, and probably of very short duration! … or it could be very very dull and drag on for a fortnight.
Then again, I might not be selected at all!
Well, Her Majesty wasn’t too anxious for my personal attendance on matters of gravity concerning her subjects. The day before I was due to attend, I called to say I was finding difficulty finding someone to feed the livestock in the mornings, as I would have to leave home early. No problem, came the response, it looks like we’ll have more than enough jurors anyway, so I’ll send out an official excusal”. So, that was that. No jury service after all!