Jury duty

Overview

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.

Eligibility to be a juror

To serve on a jury, you must be:

• a Canadian citizen
• at least 18 years of age

Potential jurors

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

Juror Summons

What to do if you receive a Juror Summons

If the Juror Summons is for you, you are required by law to complete and submit it (see below).

If you receive a Summons for someone else:

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

Complete the Juror Summons

Step 1. Pick one of these ways to submit your Summons

1. Go to the Alberta Courts website and fill out the Jury Summons Response Form
   OR
2. 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

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

The Juror Summons allows you to apply to be excused from jury service even if you are not excluded from serving. If you applied to be excused and you are not notified about your application before the court date listed on the Summons call the Jury Management Office listed on your Summons

Important: Filling out the Application to be Excused section does not mean you are automatically excused from jury selection.

Step 2. If you have not been excused from jury service, call the day before you are scheduled for jury selection

Call the number on your form after 2 pm. A recorded message will tell you if you need to attend jury selection.

Day of jury selection

You should:

• arrive 30 minutes before the time listed on your Juror Summons
• bring your Juror 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
• if you want to be excused from jury service, you will have a chance to tell the judge why
• you might be asked questions by the defence lawyer and the Crown lawyer
• you will be asked to sit in the jury box – if you are accepted by the court for jury duty
• you may be asked to ‘stand aside’ – this means that you are not needed for this particular jury duty

Pay and rembursement for expenses

Jury selection

If you are selected to attend jury selection, you may be:

• eligible for reimbursement limited to expenses allowed under s. 4(1)(c) of the Jury Act Regulation and aligned with the Travel, Meals, and Hospitality Expenses Policy
• able to submit an expense claim for attending jury selection. Submit an expense for attending jury selection.

Expenses potentially eligible for reimbursement are:

• meal allowances
• mileage
• parking
• transit fare
• accommodations

Note: Individuals who appear for previously cancelled selections are not eligible for reimbursement. Additionally, the daily fee outlined in the Jury Act Regulation under s. 4(1)(b) does not apply to individuals who are not selected.

If you have any questions about pay and expenses go to the Juror Expense portal for more information or contact the Jury Management Office listed on your Juror Summons

Jury duty

If you are selected to serve on a jury, you will be paid $50 for each day you attend the trial.

If you incur expenses as a result of being selected to serve on a jury trial,  complete the specific reimbursement forms provided by the Jury Officer at the time of your service.

Expenses will be paid in accordance with the Jury Act Regulation and Jury Management policy.
The Jury Management Office will mail a cheque to the address you give them.

Related

• Alberta court locations
• Courtroom etiquette