About the consultation

Every year, people across Ontario are asked to participate in the jury process.

To improve that experience, we would like to introduce more digital options, such as going online, texting or using another digital method to go through the jury process.

We have a few design ideas that we’re working on to make the jury process easier, faster, and more convenient for everyone.

The jury process

The jury process involves up to 4 steps:

  1. Filling out a questionnaire
  2. Receiving a summons
  3. Jury selection at the courthouse (for trials only)
  4. Being a juror

Step 1: Questionnaire

The first step in the jury process is the juror questionnaire. We send the questionnaire in the mail to a random group of people selected from the most recent municipal voters’ lists. For people living in Indigenous communities, other lists are used, such as Band lists.

If you receive a questionnaire, you must complete it and return it in the pre-paid envelope that it comes with.

The questionnaire is then used to determine if you are eligible for jury duty.

Step 2: Receiving a summons

If you’re eligible for jury duty, your name is put on a list of potential jurors called the jury roll. Names are randomly selected from this list to receive a summons in the mail with the date and court location for jury selection.

Receiving a summons doesn’t mean you have been selected as a juror. It means you have been randomly selected based on the results of your questionnaire and that you have to go to the courthouse for jury selection.

If you can’t go to the courthouse because of your job, business, school or personal circumstances, you can ask to:

  • be excused from jury duty (known as an excusal)
  • have your jury duty moved to a later date (known as a deferral).

To ask to be excused, write a letter to the courthouse listed on the summons, explaining why you need to be excused and include supporting documents, such as a doctor’s note.

To ask for a deferral, write a letter to the courthouse listed on the summons, explaining why you need to defer your jury duty and include supporting documents. For example, if you have a trip that is already booked, include copies of your plane ticket or travel booking.

You will be notified in writing by court staff if your request is approved or denied.

If your request is denied, you have to appear in court on the date of the summons.

Step 3: Jury selection at the courthouse

When you go to the courthouse, you are given a card with a number on it and you join a group of potential jurors (also known as a panel).

Your panel will be called into the courtroom and when your number is called you go to the front of the courtroom.

You may be asked questions to ensure you are able to understand and make decisions about the case, without prejudice or bias. You will either be accepted or rejected for the jury.

Step 4: Being a juror

If you are selected as a juror, you are told how long the trial or inquest may take.

You and the other jurors will be responsible for determining the facts in a trial or making recommendations in an inquest. As a juror, it is important to remember that the discussions that take place during a trial must remain confidential. It is a criminal offence for a jury member to disclose any information relating to the trial that was discussed in the jury room.

Privacy and personal information

Your privacy is important to us.

Do not include personal information such as your name, address or phone number in your responses or any information that identifies a friend, family member or other person. If you choose to provide personal information through this website, the information will be handled according to our Privacy Statement.