The jury is sworn Jurors are chosen at random from the electoral roll for the local area. Most people between 18-70 who have lived in the UK for at least 5 years are eligible, unless they have particular types of criminal convictions or mental disorders. Others may be excused if they have language difficulties or for reasons such as work obligations. When a juror recognises the name of one of the witnesses involved in the trial or recognises the defendant, the judge may excuse them from sitting on the jury to avoid any suggestion that the juror might be biased. The prosecution and the defence cannot exclude jurors unless they have a good reason.