Is jury duty a thing in Canada?
Asked by: Ms. Zelma Pouros Sr. | Last update: February 1, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (30 votes)
Yes, jury duty is a fundamental part of Canada's justice system, mandatory for eligible citizens, and involves citizens serving on juries for serious criminal trials (like murder) and some civil cases, deciding facts and rendering verdicts as a vital civic duty. You're selected randomly from lists, receive a summons (which must be obeyed), and can be excused for valid reasons, with penalties for failing to appear without notice.
Do they do jury duty in Canada?
Any adult Canadian citizen can be considered for jury duty. Being called for jury duty does not mean a person will be selected to serve as a juror but he or she must show up for the selection process. Some people may not be required to do jury duty by the laws of their province.
Can you ignore jury duty in Canada?
If you do not respond to a jury duty notice, or attend jury duty, you may face penalties such as fines and contempt of court charges. In Ontario, the Potential Jury Centre of the Ministry of the Attorney General randomly selects potential jurors from the provincial voters' list.
Does jury duty exist outside the US?
The U.S. uses juries for both criminal and civil trials. Canada also uses a common law system, and uses juries for the most serious types of criminal trials, such as murder. India uses a common law system, but outlawed the use of juries in all trials in 1960.
What country does not have jury duty?
A number of countries do not have jury systems. Some examples include Chile, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and South Africa. A judge or panel of judges may render verdicts in these countries.
What to Expect When You're Called for Jury Duty
Is jury duty an American thing?
All persons accused of a crime or involved in a civil dispute have a constitutional right to have a jury decide their cases. Many countries do not have jury trials. It is one of the things that make us unique as a country. The jury trial is a vital part of America's system of checks and balances.
Is jury duty a thing in Germany?
Germany. There have been no jury trials in Germany since 1924, when they were abolished. Most cases are tried by a panel of professional and lay judges. The lay judges must be aged between 25 and 69.
Can you say no to jury duty in the USA?
No, you generally cannot simply refuse jury duty in the USA, as it's a legal civic duty, but you can request a deferral or excusal for specific, valid reasons like severe financial hardship, medical conditions (with a doctor's note), primary caregiver responsibilities, or being a full-time student, requiring a formal written request to the court with supporting documents. Ignoring a summons leads to penalties like fines or contempt charges, so always contact the court to explain your situation.
How are jurors selected in Canada?
A jury selected to decide a case as the trier-of-fact is formally known as a "petit jury". It usually consists of 12 persons. The petit jury is selected at random from a "jury panel" who is a group of several hundred people selected from the "jury roll." Any legal errors in jury selection will require a new trial.
Why is there no jury in Germany?
During a state of emergency under Article 48 (of the Weimar Constitution), and about one month before the trial of Adolf Hitler February 1924 for the Beer Hall Putsch of November 1923, the Emminger Reform (a Notverordnung, or emergency decree) was passed in January 1924 abolishing juries and replacing them with the ...
What is the best excuse to avoid jury duty?
The best ways to get out of jury duty involve seeking official exemptions for valid reasons like age (over 70/75), medical conditions (with a doctor's note), primary childcare (under 6), or financial hardship (demonstrable income loss), or requesting a deferral online or by mail with supporting documents. During selection (voir dire), be honest about biases or situations (like family tragedy, travel) that prevent impartiality, as attorneys often excuse jurors who openly struggle with fairness, but avoid outright lying, which can backfire.
Is jury duty mandatory in Canada reddit?
Honestly, it is so easy to be exempted from jury duty. In the letter there should be a section where you can request an exemption (or you can go and do it in person). Just say what you said here that you need to work that day and you're concerned about your English. You should be fine.
Is anxiety an excuse for jury duty?
A jury duty medical excuse letter should include: Your full name (and date of birth or juror ID, if applicable) A general description of the medical condition (e.g., “recovery from surgery” or “generalized anxiety disorder”) A statement explaining how jury duty would negatively affect your health or recovery.
What happens if you refuse jury duty in Canada?
If a prospective juror fails to show up for their jury selection summons, the court can issue a second summons that the person must pick up at the courthouse. Ultimately, an arrest warrant can be issued for repeated failure, but the Solicitor General's office says no fines have been issued for juror absenteeism.
What do Canadians call the judge?
Canada. In general, Canadian judges may be addressed directly, depending on the province, as "My Lord", "My Lady", "Your Honour" or "Justice" and are formally referred to in the third person as "The Honourable Mr. (or Madam) Justice 'Forename Surname'".
Do Canadians serve on juries?
Serving on a jury is the most important role that citizens can play in the administration of justice in Canada, and it is the duty of citizens to serve as jurors from time to time.
Do jurors go home at night?
Usually jurors go home at the end of each day and return the next morning. However, in extremely rare cases, a jury will be "sequestered" during the trial or during the jury deliberations.
Who is more powerful, a judge or a jury?
Moreover, judges' fact-finding decisions are typically framed as “norm enforcement” and assumed to be more rational and objective than those of jurors.
How much do you get paid for jury duty in Canada?
Jurors are entitled to: $20 per day for the first 10 days of the trial; $60 per day for the 11th to the 49th day of the trial; $100 per day for the 50th and each succeeding day of the trial.
Who is exempt from jury duty in Ontario?
Occupational Exemptions: Individuals employed in certain professions critical to public safety, such as lawyers, police officers, and firefighters, may be exempt due to the nature of their work. Health-Related Issues: Individuals who are sick or facing health challenges during jury duty may be eligible for exemption.
Can you wear jeans for jury duty?
You can often wear jeans to jury duty if they are dark, clean, and without holes, fitting into a "business casual" dress code, but it depends on the specific court; some federal or stricter courts prohibit them, so check your summons or the court's website for exact rules, and always avoid shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or anything too distracting to show respect for the court.
Is jury duty a thing in Italy?
Italy does not try anyone by a jury of peers: everyone is judged by professional judges or by a panel of judges (three or five or nine).
Is jury duty a thing in France?
French jurors are selected at random and work with the judges only during the final deliberations. In a third model of collaborative juries, the court includes jurors with relevant expertise in certain trials.
What is the longest jury trial in history?
The longest jury trial in history was the McMartin Preschool Trial, a criminal case brought against members of a family that operated a preschool in Manhattan Beach, California.