Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
Being selected for jury duty in Canada may come with financial and other life changes you need to be aware of.
Today, I’m going to review Canadian Law regarding the selection of a jury and how it can impact your life.
One Letter Canadians Dread Receiving- Jury Duty
While walking a couple of days ago, we stopped by the post to get the mail.
Mrs. CBB started to read aloud, “A letter from the Ministry of the Attorney General; I wonder what that could be.”
Honestly, she was a bit spooked and thought something was wrong.
She says you don’t get a letter from the Attorney General for nothing while ripping it open.
A Letter for Jury Duty?
She seemed confused, and I wasn’t much help as I know nothing about jury duty selection and Criminal Law in Canada.
The Ultimate Guide To Jury Duty Laws in Canada
I’m working on understanding Canadian Law and the Canadian Legal System.
However, I’m not a Canadian Citizen yet, just a permanent resident who’s been more focused on building credit in Canada rather than educating myself about laws in Canada.
Although not on my top 5 things I love about Canada, jury duty is still something everyone who lives in Canada should learn about.
I have not long landed in Canada from the UK, but the amount I have to learn is enormous.
It had me thinking about Canadian Law and what I should start learning about now that I live in this beautiful country.
I later learned that sitting on a jury in Canada could take its toll on your financial health if you are unprepared.
While sitting as a juror, compensation is meager, although it varies from province to province.
That’s why many people are trying to squirm out of jury selection.
Unless your province takes good care of you; then, you might have to jump in with both feet.
Head to Newfoundland and employers are required to pay you total wages and benefits while you sit as a juror. I’m betting the absenteeism rate is pretty low.
If you live in Quebec, they provide an allowance for childcare or the care of others under their responsibility, as well as up to five one-hour psychological sessions at $65 per hour.
What is a juror?
Hopefully, you aren’t scratching your head, but just in case, a juror sits in the courts and, with the guidance of a judge, determines questions of fact in a civil or criminal trial.
That’s a big job, nothing to take lightly, and something I question if I could put myself through.
Would I have the option, though? Probably not.
Is Jury Duty Mandatory In Canada?
You must remember that jury duty is a part Canadians play to ensure justice is served by carrying out your role as a citizen.
We can sit back and complain, but participation is crucial.
If you fail to appear for jury selection in Canada, a second summons will be sent in your name, and you must pick it up at the courthouse.
This is their way of making sure they know you got it, and you know that they know that you got it.
“A jury summons is not an invitation,” writes Ontario Superior Court Justice Casey Hill
Getting Out Of Jury Duty
How to get out of jury selection duty?
The only way out of jury duty is if you don’t qualify or can’t take on the role, but you must follow the rules and prove it.
It is an offense to disregard the selection process or any forms you must fill out and send back.
The courts will do whatever they can to accommodate someone who has a disability, such as assistive devices, interpreters, sign language, and so on.
You need to contact the court office on your jury selection letter and talk to the jury clerk to request accommodations.
The presiding judge will decide whether you will be granted such accommodations.
If you cannot complete the forms on your own, then you can have someone do so on your behalf.
Ensure that you state their relationship to you at the bottom of your questionnaire.
Jury Duty Accommodations
If you have a disability, which may include the effects of a medical treatment, physical, mental health, intellectual, neurological or medical disability or medical condition that would prevent you from being a juror, and you cannot be accommodated, your answer to this question should be “Yes”.
You are not required to provide medical documentation explaining the effects of a medical treatment, physical or mental health, intellectual, neurological or medical disability or medical condition that would prevent you from being a juror. – Source FAQ Attorney General Canada
Time Sensitive Questionnaire
The form Mrs.CBB received stated she had five days to read, fill out and send back her signed and dated Questionnaire.
Now is not a time to toss your mail into a drawer, so why is it essential to read it as soon as you get it?
Reading on, Mrs. CBB later understood that it wasn’t jury duty selection.
Instead, her name was selected from a municipal enumeration list (voter’s list) to be considered for inclusion on a Jury Roll.
She is legally obliged to fill out the Questionnaire and return it. She could, at any time, then receive a summons to attend jury duty.
What Is A Jury Roll?
A Jury Roll means names of Canadian Citizens in a specific jurisdiction who are eligible to serve as jurors if summoned.
Being called for jury duty doesn’t mean you will be selected as a juror. They will boot you out if they don’t like you; that’s how it goes.
Is there an age limit for jury duty? Yes, in Canada, you need to be 18 years of age and a Canadian Citizen.
Well, that removes me from the list as I’m a permanent resident (PR) from the UK, but it’s good to know.
However, there are many exemptions mentioned above, including health reasons, nursing, extreme hardships, etc.
Depending on your profession in Canada or if you have been convicted of any criminal offenses that can be prosecuted by way of an indictment for which you have not been granted a pardon, you will be disqualified.
Jury Selection Criteria
How do they pick jurors to be on a Jury?
That’s a great question, and in Canada, there are stipulations for those chosen to serve on jury duty.
How often can you get chosen for jury duty?
More than once!
Over the years, you may get selected more than one based on third-party name selection.
The Attorney General suggests you contact the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) if your information is incorrect in their database or you are not sure why your name is on their list.
Who Can Be On Jury Duty
A Canadian Citizen can be on jury duty.
Clause 2(b) of the Juries Act requires that all jurors be Canadian citizens and clause 638(1)(d) of the Criminal Code require that all jurors in criminal trials be Canadian citizens.
Being a citizen of Canada demonstrates a legal commitment to certain rights and duties, including participating in jury duty.
- Must be 18 yrs of age or older
- Must be able to speak English or French or use sign-language services as a court is only conducted in English and French.
If you are chosen to sit on a jury, the trial will be conducted in either English or French.
If indicating a “Yes” response to English or French, you must be fluent in either language and understand it well enough to follow a trial where all evidence and legal instructions will be given in English or French, without the assistance of an interpreter.
American Sign Language (ASL) or Langue des Signes Quebecoise (LSQ) interpretation can be provided for people who are deaf, with approval by a judge.
Jury Duty With A Criminal Offence
- Must live in the province of the jurisdiction that served you
- Criminal Offence
Have you been convicted of any criminal offence that can be prosecuted by way of an indictment for which you have not been granted a record suspension or pardon?
The list below identifies summary offences that would allow you to remain eligible for jury duty, despite having been convicted of this type of offence.
If you have been convicted of an offence listed below, you may still be eligible for jury duty and should mark an “X” in the “No” box for this question.
Please refer to the extensive list of criminal code offenses at The Attorney General that will allow you to serve on jury duty here.
Mental or Physical Disability And Jury Duty
- Do you have a mental or physical disability?
Although they will do their best to accommodate you, and if you feel you can still serve on the jury, you must state this.
You also have the opportunity to self-exempt yourself, but the judge will have the final decision.
Clause 4(a) of the Juries Act exempts people who have a disability that would seriously impair his or her ability to serve.
Clause 638(1) (e) of the Criminal Code allows people to be dismissed from jury duty in criminal trials if they are physically unable to serve even with the aid of support services.
Jobs That Exempt You From Jury Duty
- You must not be working on the exempt list of occupations that cannot serve on jury duty.
- A legally qualified medical practitioner, coroner, or veterinary surgeon who is actively engaged in the practice
- A police officer
- A firefighter regularly employed by a fire department
- A superintendent, jailer, or keeper of a prison, correctional institution, or lockup
- The warden of a penitentiary
- A sheriff or a sheriff’s officer
- Armed forces personnel of the regular and special forces and members of the reserve forces on active service
- A barrister and/or solicitor or a student-at-law
- An officer of a court of justice
- A judge or a justice of the peace
- A member of the Privy Council of Canada, the Executive Council of Ontario, the Senate, the House of Commons or the Assembly
A sigh of relief overcame me, especially the more she researched the jury selection process with me.
- Do you know what you get paid for jury duty?
- How many Canadians are prepared financially if they get called to the jury?
This is another excellent reason that emergency savings are crucial for everyone.
Have you ever thought about how your finances would hold up if you served as a juror on a case that took a year or more to deliberate and make a final judgment?
Jury Duty For A Deceased Person
What happens if I receive a jury duty questionnaire for someone who has died?
If you get a jury selection questionnaire for someone who has passed, open the letter and write that they have passed away next to their name.
When you return the Questionnaire, include a copy of their death certificate.
Dressing For Jury Duty
How should I dress for Jury Duty in Canada?
Keep your attire business casual and avoid clothing you would wear as everyday fashion.
You will want to present yourself professionally, as jury duty is not to be taken lightly.
Employers And Jury Duty
Your employer must release you to attend jury duty, and your service as an employee would continue as if you were there.
They must not terminate or change conditions of employment without your written consent.
That means you will be in the same role you left or a comparable position when you come back.
Some employers may opt to pay you full or partial wages while you are on jury duty, but they are not required to by law.
If you are receiving EI, you are entitled to continue receiving that money if you are selected as a juror.
Jury Selection Compensation
How much compensation will I get while I am serving as a Juror?
This is the million-dollar question by anyone who may become a juror. Sit back, and you’re in for a bumpy ride in Ontario.
You will be responsible for paying for transportation and parking fees unless you live 40 km from the courthouse.
If you live in the city where you will sit as a juror, you are expected to pay for your transportation or take a bus. You must keep all your receipts.
You will also have to bring your lunch, although they provide coffee and water to all jurors.
Eat out, and you can add $5-$20 every day to your monthly budget.
You would only stay in a hotel if it is late and you are in the final stages of deliberations in a criminal trial.
You will only receive compensation once you are selected as a jury but not in the summons stage.
Once selected, after ten days of hearings have elapsed, you will start to bank some cash, but you get nil a big fat zero $$ before that.
So from days 11-49 in Ontario, you will get $40 a day, and from 50 days forward, that will rise to $100 a day.
If you live in Alberta, you will get paid $50 a day, and your childcare, transportation, and parking will also be paid for.
Now, don’t spend that $40 all in one spot, as you are currently getting paid less than minimum wage for a full day’s work to fulfill your duty as a Canadian, so make sure you are prepared.
A Judge Has Final Say About Compensation.
This is the experience of a lifetime, so take the money and run; you may never get this opportunity again or at least for another two years.
If you are so fortunate to make it to day 50, as mentioned above, you will get a raise to a whopping $100 per day you are a juror, although they say this is rare.
One instance where a judge changed the compensation for a long drawn out case was in the Victoria Stafford Case, where the judge offered $40 from the start and $100 after day 25.
I couldn’t imagine the financial burden on those jurors, but I’m betting the experience was eye-opening for them.
No other expenses are paid for, but they will do their best to accommodate anyone with disabilities.
If you need to find childcare for your children, you should arrange it ahead of time, and of course, there is no allowance for this, so you are paying for it out-of-pocket.
This is another reason Canadians buckle up and start budgeting and paying down debt.
More Information
For more information about jury duty selection where you live, or questions, contact the Ministry of the Attorney General.
Ignoring jury duty could get you a hefty fine or even jail time for contempt of court so prepare yourself and your finances for any unexpected expenses that might arise, especially when you least expect it.
I’m still proud and honored to live in Canada from what I’ve learned these past few days.
Mrs. CBB has mailed back her Questionnaire and now waits to see if they want to hear her 2 cents for potential Jury Duty.
If you’ve lost the return envelope for your jury selection questionnaire, you can mail it to the following address;
Source: Attorney General FAQ’s Jury Duty (At the time of updating this blog post, March 2019, this was the current address provided)
Provincial Jury Centre
P.O. Box 666, Station A
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 9Z9
Discussion: If you’ve served Jury Duty and have the experience to share, please leave it below.
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I was called once but it was right after a serious car accident, so I was excused for medical reasons – I was unable to sit, stand or walk at that point.
A friend of mine was called on a serial murder trial & he was tied up for months & months & he was the sole wage earner at the time and it caused sever damage to their financial health. The worst part was the year of therapy he had to pay for to get over the psychological damage done by having to review such gruesome evidence. He not so lovingly refers to it as his $50,000 civic duty!
Wow, that sure is a story but it happens and that is a great example of what it can do to someone’s finances. I don’t know how prepared we can all be but having some emergency money is better than nothing. I think the psychological sessions should be mandatory and paid for in cases such as his. That’s not fair. Thanks for sharing Mary. Mr.CBB
That’s an incredible story. I think most people forget about the psychological impact that some cases can have on jurors. That would be an interesting topic to read some research on.
Exactly as much as we all like to be nosey as citizens we don’t get all the details in the media. Sometimes sitting through the details of how a person was murdered will be enough to do some serious damage to someone’s mental health. It’s not all roses that’s for sure… we should be prepared not only financially but mentally for this role if it should be given to us as Canadians. Thanks for dropping in. Mr.CBB
My wife was picked once to do Jury Duty here in the States, but it was literally about two weeks before our wedding and they allowed her to get out of it. I know the pay here to be a Juror is terrible, although I think it would be interesting if you were selected andf got to be part of an interesting case.
Yes you have to have a pretty darn good excuse as to why you don’t want to be in a jury if chosen. The interesting case may start out that way until the scary details.. if you aren’t prepared for that it could take it’s toll mentally on you. I’m not sure how I would be if I had to hear the details of a murder case… or some other scary ass case. Some people are just plain odd and do weird things. Cheers Mr.CBB
I was called for jury duty a couple of times while I was in college. They let students out of the responsibility.
Yes if you are in school they will let you out of jury duty. Mrs.CBB said this is the first time ever for her.
Hello Mr.CBB
I do understand that as a Country citizen.
We have to sever any duty as they required
I would love to do my services. But my English is terrible.
Please give me some advice
Thank
Hi,
I really don’t have any advice for you however if your English is terrible they may end up excusing you. It wouldn’t hurt to make a phone call to the courts or have someone ask this question on your behalf.
Our oldest son was sent the notice the Mrs received but but as he was, at that time with the Dept of National Defense he was not allowed to serve. The notice was sent here so I opened it with his permission while we were talking on the phone. On his behalf I called the 800 number and explained the problem and they were very understanding, and told me there was no rush to get it back as I told them I would have to forward the notice to him before he could send it back to them. You would think that would get his name off the list for a fair while….nope….he got another notice a year or so later.Same deal as before. My husband got as far as getting a summons to show up for selection but it was called off a few days later as they didn’t need him.
Interesting to hear everyone’s stories as this is all new to me. You would think they would take him off the list but sounds to me the system doesn’t work that way. Mr.CBB
I’ve actually been summoned twice and (thankfully) I’ve been in university both times! I too never thought about the psychological implications, scary stuff!
Ya, sounds exciting but at the same time you can’t hide your head under a blank at the scary parts like when we were kids…
Here in the US you can be a juror if you’re over 18 and registered to vote. I’ve never been on jury duty but employers are fairly flexible with it here…although, the jury duty wage is fairly low. It all sounds similar though and also sounds like a very big pain in the ass.
Yep but it’s our duty as citizens to step up I guess. It’s just scary for those that don’t have an employer who tops up or pays full wage. A few of my fans posted on my facebook page of some stories as well in the comments here. Scary.. Cheers Jason! Mr.CBB
I got called up to do it a while ago. I went to the whole orientation and everything, but they let me go because I was breastfeeding at the time and was a full-time student. They paid $9/day! It’s a serious financial burden to do your civic duty; especially if you get paid hourly.
Ya I read that if you are a mum that is nursing or if you are in school you can get out of it. The pay is sick I know.. that’s why it’s something to be aware of and another reason to have an emergency stash. Could you imagine if it lasted a long time.. man oh man. Cheers Mr.CBB
I was called for jury duty a few years ago, but having Tourette’s makes it very uncomfortable for me to sit for extended periods of time so I was excused with a doctors note.
I read that with a doctors note they may excuse one. Thanks for sharing your story.
I have been summoned for jury duty. I just survive pay cheque to pay cheque now I barely make enough to pay bills now, I will not get any money from my employer I am considered a contract worker with no benefits thanks to the way the government allows companies to treat their employees & I have worked hard all my life to get where I am now & now I will lose it all and there is not a thing I can do about it.
Is there a way to tell them that this would affect your livlihood and you are the soul breadwinner? Have you made any phone calls? What did they say?
So you would advocate draining ones personal emergency savings to do their ‘civic duty’? Never going to happen in my lifetime. My family’s roof, food, and clothing trump that without even thinking once about it, let alone twice.
There are many articles lately about the legal system in Canada wondering why chosen jurors fail to appear etc…….Please, honestly.. the Canadian legal system as a whole can’t be that dense can it? Who can honestly afford to lose the wages? $40 per day (Ontario) AFTER 10 days doesn’t even start to come close to covering the expenses of most. It might cover parking and the coffee on the way there.
This to me demonstrates a lack of vision and understanding on the part of the people making 100k – 200k per year who fail to see that a majority of us don’t.
But here’s the kicker which would be hilarious if it wasn’t so sad: we taxpayers pay judges considerably large salaries to judge people, but at the whim of the court we can be chosen to pay again to do it ourselves!!
I think if there were no other options than yes. Not everyone can get out of jury duty and if it were that easy then why bother telling people they have to attend. This is a huge topic and lots of people who get called for jury duty are looking for answers. I’m with you, I’d do whatever I could to not have to be a juror if it would affect the roof over my head and food on the table. I still don’t understand how they expect people to survive. Hell, we can’t do it while we are working how do they think we can make it when we aren’t and doing the civic duty. I’m only advocating it IF there is no other option.
When you prepare your income taxes, do not check the box to be included on the voter’s list. That is where they get the potential jurors. You can always register for individual elections when they come up. Every time I check that box, I get jury summons, but never when I leave it unchecked. I’ve also never been denied my vote when I don’t check the box, just have to bring my ID.
That’s good to know Karen, thanks for sharing. Mr.CBB
I would love to speak with you if possible for a story I am working on. G
Please email me canadianbudgetbinder at yahoo dot ca
I was called for Jury Duty Selection twice in the last 3 Years, in Montreal, Quebec. It’s not so bad here. You are paid $100 per day, receive an allowance for transport/parking/bus tickets, an allowance for lunch and possibly supper, depending how long the day runs.
During the selection/orientation day I was compensated for gas, parking & lunch. I was in a group of 300+ people, where several groups of 20-30 potential jurors were randomly selected for several trials. Most people were not selected, and could go home. During the lunch break, before juror interviews, anyone that had an issue with serving, could see the judge and plead their case to be excused. The first time around, I didn’t think I had a valid excuse, so I didn’t talk to the Judge. The second time I was called, I got in this line, and explained that I’m single, live paycheck-to-paycheck and normally make more than 2.5x what they’re offering in compensation. Serving on a Jury would cause me to default on several loans, and cause me to have to file bankruptcy. I was let go without having to provide proof.
The first time through, I was selected for a convenience Store Robbery Trial. I really lucked out there. The defendant was a visible minority and I am White. I was asked if his skin colour would affect my ability to remain impartial. I replied “Yes Ma’am, he looks guilty to me”, upon which I was promptly excused.
One thing that does not make sense to me, is that Senior Citizens are excused from Jury Duty. Along with Welfare Recipients, Senior Citizens have the most time to serve on a Jury, and they receive their full pension benefits regardless. That seems like an ideal Juror to me.
One of my in-laws has received a letter for jury duty two years in a row, but he is not eligible to serve because he is not a Canadian citizen. (So don’t be too sure you won’t be called, Mr CBB :)). It’s apparently impossible to get his name off the basic list, so he’ll probably get more letters and have to jump through the hoops each time. I was told the Jury Management office is given a list of names and addresses from somewhere or other and there is no attempt made by anyone to make sure the letter recipients are, at least, Canadian citizens. It seems very wasteful and inefficient.
I think I once got a letter to vote when I clearly can’t but they haven’t sent me anything since. You are right they could still send it but I doubt anything would happen as long as reply stating that the person is not a citizen should suffice. Is that what he did or did you try and call? Yes a huge waste of money considering people and trees! Thanks for letting us know Kat! Mr.CBB
I have to attend Jury Summons this coming Monday (also voting day in Canada) & this was my third time getting called in 4 years. The first 2 times I received a phone call just days prior saying they didn’t need me as the case was settled out of court. I was thinking that may happen again, but no call this time. I do, however, have a doctors’ note excusing me for medical reasons. Strange though, because back in my healthier days I’d always thought it would be interesting to be on a jury, as I love watching legal shows on TV. Now, unfortunately, it would be way too hard on me physically (& psychologically, depending on case). Sad to read some of these situations where people went bankrupt, needed extensive therapy, etc… don’t understand why they don’t take better care of the citizens that are doing their civic duty (pay, transportation, etc.). Does not make any sense!
I agree with you 100%~
I was called for Jan 11. I’m a 77t yr. old low income senior I sent a letter asking to be excused. It is too stressful for me I live in a community with no public transportation. I don’t like to drive in winter and what if I can’t get there if it snows or is icy it’ on a Monday too! I hope they will excuse me but I haven’t heard back yet. If I don’t get excused I will get a note from my doctor.
I wish someone would start a petition to change these barbaric rules. People should not have to go into debt to serve on a Jury. and Seniors should be excused if the ask to be. In BC if you are 6 you can be excused.
Hi Margaret,
Please keep me updated as I’d like to hear back from you about what happens. I agree it can be stressful for many people including seniors. Winter driving in Canada is very stressful and I’ve only been driving in it for just over 8 years.
When you appear for jury duty. If you live out of town you will be paid for mileage. If its a financial burden to you. You will have the opportunity to inform the judge that its a financial burden. Yes its a headache. I was summoned back in October. I went but was not chosen to sit on a jury. I thought it was going to be a bore and a waste of time. To be honest I’m glad I went. I’m sure the people who didn’t go wish they went after the sherriff was notified by the judge. Just my opinion. Go and enjoy the experience.
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for your feedback for Margaret and sharing your experience. Do you know how much they pay for mileage?
I believe the cheque amount I received was around $32.00 or $33.00. I live 40kms away from court. Theres a section at the bottom of the summons sheet she will need to fill out if she lives out of town.
There was another gentleman who travelled even further then me and they compensated his taxi fare. There should be something written on the notification paperwork she received or she can ask when she arrives at the court house. Just tell Margaret to keep a receipt from the cab driver and she can ask how she will be compensated.
The judge asked many many times and even at the time of questioning she asked each one of us again if this would be an inconvenience to any of us.
Pretty sure Margaret will be let off. I took magazines with me to read while I waited my turn. I was actually disappointed I wasn’t chosen and to be honest I didn’t want to go in the first place. Hope that helps. Let me know if you require anything further.
So the best thing to do if she gets no answers is to go and tell the truth to the judge about not being able to go. Thanks for you input. Mr.CBB
Basically yes. When she gets to the courtroom. She will most likely have to watch a brief video. Then she will sit with other potential jurors. The judge will come in and will give a time line of how long the trial could take. ie. In our case they said 3 weeks and it was completed with jury verdict in 3 weeks. The judge will state what the case is. Will introduce the crown or prosecutor and the defence. Most likely the ‘accused’ will be in the courtroom and will be asked to stand so you can see them, in our case there were two.
The judge will ask anyone who has ‘grievences’ or a ‘conflict of interest’, with anyone involved with the trial to come forward. Some people knew the lawyers etc. The judge then asked if this would be an in convience to anyones life. Some people expressed their concerns and released.
Then the jury selection started. I was asked again before the defence lawyer ‘interviewed’ me if this would be an inconvenience to me.
I do not recommend a no show to jury duty. At least 5 people didn’t show up and the judge was notifying the sherriff the same day to go and ‘see’ the potential jurors that did not show up.
One potential juror took a cab from New Westminister to Barrie thats an hour and a half one way trip. What I was told is that if the courts really really want you they will pay for the cab. He was dismissed and most likely was reimbursed by cheque through the mail. The courts are very efficient in reimbursing. approx. 2 weeks for a cheque mailed to my home.
Incidentally the courts processed the out of towners expenses before the video viewing and before the jury selection intro. This would be the best time for her to bring this up. She should say something like,” I took a cab here because I have no other way of getting here” They will help her out.
I’ve been told this is the standard jury process. however don’t quote me. All courts could be a bit different. Sorry a bit lengthy.
So in other words speak up. Thank you so much for all of this information. So many people come to this post looking for information about jury duty but unless you’ve been through the process it’s hard to know. There are so many unanswered questions about jury duty. Most people want to know how to get out of jury duty in Canada. Thanks again.
I too am attending Jury selection tomorrow. My first time called. I live 40km away from the courthouse. I recently left my employer over 3 months ago to go back to school. However my schooling doesn’t start for awhile. I am for once financially able to sit on a jury and I have the time.
I do feel that its my civic duty to sit on a jury. However I have to agree with some of the postings I’ve read on your site. We are expected to show up, pay out of our pockets to make a decision about someone’s life who obviously doesn’t care about the law.
His/Her lawyer is getting paid big bucks along with the judge. court clerks. the crown and court recorders. I feel sorry for the people who have children and have to pay for a babysitter etc. If this person is found guilty they go to jail, which we pay for. Or they use time spent to lesson the sentencing.
I’m tired of being at the receiving end of jury duty notification and I know I didn’t check off any box for this.
I’m going through school to be a court recorder. You listen to the cases and you don’t get called for jury duty.
So tomorrow I’m going to people watch. Take in the court atmosphere and make it a fact finding mission. If I get chosen eh. If I don’t I’ve been, conquered, and have a t-shirt! (kidding on the t-shirt). The Canadian legal system is flawed horribly. To be honest I’ve never seen a legal system that works anywhere. But this is just my opinion.
I agree with you. It’s one of those systems that make no sense at all. Where is the benefit for us besides getting the bad guys off the streets but even those in the court system being paid an income reap that benefit.
I agree with you.
my 82 year old mother has to go to another city to be a potential juror….come on….we don,t have enough of a pool of people to choose from between say 20 and say 65 that we threaten an 82 year old with jail or fine for not participating. That’s 82…unbelievable.There should be an age limit…do we really want to have jurrors who will most likely fall to sleep during the trial. this is ridiculous!!
In my opinion:I read your letter regarding an 82 year old going for jury selection. I too was chosen over a year and a half ago. First of all I’m not 82. However I did have to travel 40 mins. to jury selection.
First of all when she gets there she has the right to refuse to be on the jury. The judge gives you the option before selection to state your case. Be professional, leave all sarcastic comments out when addressing the court.
My suggestion would be to address the frustration of trying to attend court not the fact that an 82 year old will fall asleep during court. That won’t win the sympathy of the court.
I too was frustrated when I got called up for jury duty. When I got there I actually enjoyed it and was actually disappointed when I wasn’t chosen. (I would have hung the jury).Wise choice on the plantiff’s lawyer to ‘challenge me’.
Just because someone is 82 years old doesn’t make them automatically removed from selection. There are many people who are considerably younger that requested to be removed from jury selection as it would be a ‘burden to their daily lifestyle’ and both lawyers and the judge granted them leave.
There was aproximately 10 or more people that chose to not show up and the judge issued the sherrif to go visit them.
My grandmother was 103 when she passed away. Sharp as a whip until the day she passed. I’ve met seniors well into their 90’s surfing the net and taking ballroom dancing. So age is just a number.
The computer doesn’t know her age. It just picks from the info its given. So what I’m trying to say…
Consider it an outing for the day. She will probably enjoy it. If she is physically unable to attend. I believe theres a number listed on the letter that she received.
This is just my opinion, this is not designed to be confrontational. Its just a suggestion and my opinion. Good luck and thank you for listening
I thought that the cut of for jury duty was 65 years I live in Newfoundland and Labrador Canada.
If you have to do jury duty regardless of your objections such as religion, then Canada is not democracy, but dictatorship! It can not be justified by “it’s your civic duty and we want to be inclusive” phrase. There are many ways a person fulfills its civic duty without passing judgement on people they do not know, nor they know what happened in that particular case, cause you weren’t a witness to that event. If Canada really wants to be “inclusive” society, then it should include bhudist, hindu, maoist, muslim, zoroastrianism, native and other laws, that is the laws of all people that reside in Canada. Canadian government declares that everybody has the right to practice their religion and people come to Canada assuming this is correct. So, when you get a jury duty and you tell them that you cannot do that because your religion requires its laws to be included in the system (and these are not) and you cannot pass judgement on others because only a person trained in law can and only God knows what actually happened (according to your religion), they can refuse you and still threaten you with jail time if you do not show up? Canada is a democracy? What kind of a joke is this? If a witness swears on God that he/she tells the truth means nothing if it is not God that you believe in. The witness must be of your religion, so in case a witness swears on God and then lies, then the burden is on witness and not on you if you make wrong decision based on that testimony. But it is not about that and be inclusive isn’t it? Canada just wants to impose anglo-saxon believes on everybody and threatens those that refuse with jail. Go (fake) Canada liberties! Go!
You arrived in Canada knowing the laws here are different from your country of birth, if you don’t like the set up here in Canada you can always return to your country of birth.
I received the dreaded summons letter today. I’ve had zero source of income for three years while raising two small kids. We’re burning through the savings we had at an astronomical rate and now I’m not only losing our precious March break as a family (my husband is a teacher), when he returns to work I’m going to have to secure childcare and be out of pocket further. Parking at the courthouse is $20 a day on top of that. I also had plans to finally visit my mom over the break who I haven’t seen in months, who had knee surgery. If I can’t get my husbands help I can’t visit her until the summer – the next period of time he’s off. The entire situation just makes me so angry. The system is like some sort of ‘big bully’ enterprise. Lawyers, judges, everyone makes money but we go into debt and no one gives a damn or cares how much it f-s up our lives. I would be a poor choice as i’m fuming over this and wouldn’t mind being responsible for influencing jury nullification.
I contacted the jury clerk who passed along my concerns and the judge was very kind, offering me to be excused. You have no idea how relieved I was to hear that!! They seem to be understanding and polite people so those of you with serious concerns regarding court duty, it’s possible they will excuse you if your reasons are not trivial.
I thought that the cut of for jury duty was 65 years I live in Newfoundland and Labrador Canada.
My husband got a jury notice; we are in Nova Scotia, well educated, law abiding. Like many we have been continuously screwed by companies closing or using government funds and leaving, We just refinanced so our kids could go to university. We truly can not afford for him to loss his income. Tears are streeming down face as I write this, we just finally get a tiny glimpse of hope, and it is taken. If he is selected I am committing suicide, perhaps they will give him the day for my funeral. I am so tired why doesn’t anyone care about anyone else anymore? We didn’t do anything wrong so why are we being punished?
I just sat through a jury selection panel. Based on the description you’ve provided I’m almost certain your husband will be excused due to financial hardship. Make sure he has his ‘case’ prepared on the first day he goes to the selection process. Have him lay our your income and expenses on a spreadsheet that he can print and bring into court with him. The judge will interview all people who feel they cannot serve for one reason or another. If your husband lays out all of these facts on the first day, he will most certainly be excused for financial hardship. Therefore he will only lose one day or work at most. Good luck to you and your family. I’m sure things will work out for the best.