COVID-19 remains a public health threat. Mandatory measures are in effect provincewide.
Scam calls
Most automated calls are scams. The province does not make automated calls about:
- jury duty
- court matters
- warrants for arrest
- your financial information
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.
Receiving a Juror Summons
Prospective jurors are:
- Canadian citizens
- at least 18 years of age
- randomly chosen from the Alberta Registries database
If you’re chosen for jury selection, a Juror Summons – which is a court order – will be delivered to you. It directs you to attend court on the day and time that’s on the front.
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
How to apply
Step 1. Submit your Juror Summons
If you’re eligible for jury duty you will need to submit your Juror Summons:
- Fill out the Juror Certification section of your summons.
- Mail or drop off the Office Copy to the Jury Management Office on the summons within 5 days of receiving it.
- Keep the Prospective Juror copy.
- Call the Jury Management Office before coming to court.
If you’re excluded from serving as a juror:
- Fill out the Application To Be Excused section of your summons.
- Mail or drop off the Office Copy to the Jury Management Office on the summons.
- Keep the Prospective Juror copy.
- If you haven’t been notified that you’re excused – before the court date on your juror summons – call the Jury Management Office.
Note: Submitting an ‘Application To Be Excused’ doesn’t mean you’re automatically excused from jury duty.
Step 2. Attend the jury selection
For the selection, you should:
- arrive a few minutes before the time on your Juror Summons
- bring your summons and photo ID
- dress like you’re going to a job interview
During the selection, you:
- may explain to the judge, if necessary, why you want to be excused from jury duty
- will be told the date and length of the trial
- may be questioned by both the defence and Crown lawyer
- will be asked to sit in the jury box – if you’re accepted by the court
- may be asked to ‘stand aside’; this means that you won’t be needed for this particular jury duty
Note: The court may summon potential jurors more than once.
Fees and expenses
If you’re selected to serve on a jury, you’ll be:
- paid $50 per day for 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.
Parking
Most courthouses have parkades nearby. Parking fees are your responsibility.