I wasn't expecting that...

deptfordmarmoset

So, there I was, finally sworn as a juror in for a trial after 2 days waiting to be called in semi-incarceration. At the very outset of the trial, the judge begins proceedings with ''Mr Marmoset*...''

I freeze! What have I done?

The judge continues, ''I see we have a fellow cyclist in the court...'' and, having obviously noticed my hi-viz rucksack cover and rather florid red top, then proceeded to give me helpful advice about where I could leave my cycling accoutrements (facilities being limited to a wheelbender bike stand outside, together with the usher's reassuring advice, ''Cyclists are advised to bring a strong lock - courts do tend to attract criminals...'').

I knew there was a fairly well-known cycling silk - I subscribe to his blog. I see police on bikes on an almost daily basis. But I now seem to have chanced across a cycling judge. That really isn't anything I'd ever considered before.

But it's made me look at the ''safety in numbers'' principle from a different angle - not just from the point of view that drivers will become more aware of cyclists, but from the point of view that the wider the social range of cyclists, the better the chance of cyclists getting a fair hearing, both in the strict legal sense as well in the wider more general sense. The background assumption that cycling is something that we do, rather than the assumption that cycling is something that they do.

I find it a very reassuring notion that a judge might understand cycling. Surprising but reassuring.




*species altered to protect identity and maintain court confidentiality.

Jay dubbleU

One of our county court judges wears a bowler hat and rides a Brompton - damn cyclists get everywhere - nice surprise though

waddlie

When I worked for the old bill, one of my staff was a Crown Court Liaison Officer, whose role was fairly self-explanatory.

One afternoon he walked into my office and said "I'm afraid I'm going to be unavailable for the next couple of hours. HHJ Judgey Judgeness* has a puncture on his bicycle and has asked that I drive him home.

Not exactly the best use of resources or taxpayers money (especially when there was an Evans on the ground floor of our office, 2 mins walk away from the courthouse), but Judgey did indeed get a lift home.

*Names have been changed to protect the guilty.

redvee

On the courts attracting crims line. A job I once did meant we had to collect from a local Cat D prison. After checking in at the gatehouse, handing in mobiles and having IDs checked, the guard said that we should lock the lorry when we leave it as the prison is full of criminals, No sh!t sherlock :shock:

NGale

redvee wrote:

On the courts attracting crims line. A job I once did meant we had to collect from a local Cat D prison. After checking in at the gatehouse, handing in mobiles and having IDs checked, the guard said that we should lock the lorry when we leave it as the prison is full of criminals, No sh!t sherlock :shock:

Hell the prisoners would all have you believe everyone in there is innocent

when I worked for the prison service I had my bike nicked from outside in the 'secure' bike locker. The Irony was a prisoner stood as witness to a member of staff having nicked my bike which he had to admit to. :shock:

Confusedboy

NGale wrote:

redvee wrote:

On the courts attracting crims line. A job I once did meant we had to collect from a local Cat D prison. After checking in at the gatehouse, handing in mobiles and having IDs checked, the guard said that we should lock the lorry when we leave it as the prison is full of criminals, No sh!t sherlock :shock:

Hell the prisoners would all have you believe everyone in there is innocent

when I worked for the prison service I had my bike nicked from outside in the 'secure' bike locker. The Irony was a prisoner stood as witness to a member of staff having nicked my bike which he had to admit to. :shock:

Half of the lies they tell you are not true. But given recent events involving some Cardiff ex-cops, quite a lot of prisoners are likely innocent, at least of the crime they have been convicted for.

My old landlord once curtailed a visit to the house I was in explaining that he had to leave because he had to meet his brother was in court. When I asked what the charge was, he explained indignantly that his bro was the presiding magistrate, an event which I thought neatly summed up the difference in our social standings.....

The Rookie

redvee wrote:

the guard said that we should lock the lorry when we leave it as the prison is full of criminals, No sh!t sherlock :shock:

I used to have a few mates in the force, they were always whinging about having kit (such as gloves) knicked, reckoned more crime happened per square yard in the Police station offices than anywhere else.

Simon

bails87

Confusedboy wrote:

Half of the lies they tell you are not true

I'd say all the lies aren't true