Jury duty

Trial by jury is a cornerstone of our criminal justice system. Through participation in the jury system, people in a community play a direct role in the administration of justice and help to maintain all of our own rights and freedoms.

To serve on a jury, you must be:

• a Canadian citizen
• at least 18 years of age

You might be excluded from jury selection:

• follow the instructions to find out

Getting a Juror Summons

Potential jurors:

• are picked randomly from the Alberta Registries database
• might be summoned by the court more than once

If you are picked for jury selection:

• a Juror Summons is delivered to you
• the summons tells you the day and time to attend jury selection

If you receive a summons for someone else:

• mail it back – 'return to sender' through Canada Post – if they don’t live at your address
• fill it out – as their ‘agent’ – if they live at your address

If you are not excluded

You must submit your Juror Summons.

Step 1. Submit your Juror Summons

Pick one of these ways to submit your summons:

• go to the Alberta Courts website and fill out the Jury Summons Response Form

OR

• fill out the Juror Certification section of your summons:
  • mail or drop off the Office Copy to the Jury Management Office listed on the summons within 5 days of receiving it
  • keep the Prospective Juror copy

Step 2. The day before coming to court

On the day before you are scheduled for jury selection:

• call the number on your form after 2:00 pm
• a recorded message will tell you if you need to attend jury selection

If you are excluded

You must submit your Juror Summons, even if you might be excluded from jury duty.

Step 1. Submit your Juror Summons

Pick one of these ways to submit your summons:

• go to the Alberta Courts website and fill out the Jury Summons Response Form

OR

• fill out the Application to be Excused section of your summons:
  • mail or drop off the Office Copy to the Jury Management Office listed on the summons within 5 days of receiving it
  • keep the Prospective Juror copy

Step 2. Get notification

You will be notified if you are excused from jury selection.

If you have not been notified about being excused before the court date listed on your Juror Summons:

• call the Jury Management Office

Day of jury selection

You should:

• arrive a few minutes before the time listed on your Juror Summons
• bring your summons and government-issued photo ID
• dress like you are going to a job interview

During the selection, you:

• will be told the date and length of the trial
• will have a chance to tell the judge why you want to be excused from jury duty
• might be asked questions by the defence lawyer and the Crown lawyer
• will be asked to sit in the jury box – if you are accepted by the court for jury duty
• may be asked to ‘stand aside’ – this means that you are not needed for this particular jury duty

Pay and expenses

If you are selected to serve on a jury, you will be:

• paid $50 per day of jury duty
• reimbursed for reasonable travel expenses
• reimbursed for accommodation expenses – if overnight stays are required and approved by the Jury Management Office

The Jury Management Office will mail a cheque to the address you give them.

If you have any questions about pay and expenses:

• contact the Jury Management Office listed on your Juror Summons

Parking

Most courthouses have parkades nearby:

• you are responsible for paying for parking
• you may be reimbursed if proof of payment is provided

Related

• Alberta court locations
• Courtroom etiquette