Trauma and Jury Duty: Understanding the Impact and Navigating the Legal Process

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In my experience, trauma is something that other people experience; none of us will think that it may happen to us.

What happens if we put ourselves in a situation where there is a genuine possibility we may become traumatised or even re-traumatised?

For example, recently, I received a summons for jury service. In the UK, attendance is mandatory, with a fine of £1000,00 and a criminal record for non-attendance.

You can, in some instances, be excused from jury service. However, the process can be long-winded, and you may have to justify your reasons to the judge, which many may find daunting.

The court staff were very receptive to any potential juror who may find court service daunting or need help to listen to the evidence.
It did strike me that those who serve on a jury may become vicariously traumatised by the evidence or the testimony of the victims.

Vicarious trauma refers to the emotional and psychological impact experienced by individuals who are indirectly exposed to the traumatic experiences of others. It commonly affects professionals such as counsellors, therapists, social workers, and paramedics who work closely with trauma survivors or repeatedly hear their traumatic stories.

A juror may become re-traumatised as witnesses describe events that they had experienced.

It was not surprising that at the end of my jury service, I received an email from the court offering counselling and a link to a video explaining what symptoms a juror may experience after the verdict is delivered.

The video explained that Jury members returning to their everyday lives might experience issues such as headaches, nausea, flashbacks or anxiety around the verdict, mood changes, wishing to be alone, and Changes in sleep or appetite. These symptoms may come and go; however, if they persist, the video suggests reaching out to gain some support.

The whole experience left me wondering how many jurors end up in counsellors' therapy rooms presenting with trauma or vicarious trauma. And if the therapist was suitably trauma-informed to be able to join the dots to help their client understand what may have triggered these thoughts or feelings.
In cases like this, psychological education is a good starting point to help clients understand the roots and triggers of intrusive thoughts and feelings.

Rory Lees-Oakes 18th of May 2023