THE JURYLaw 12

Who can serve on a jury?

A jury consists of 12 people (criminal jury) or 7 people (civil jury) who are selected to hear the evidence in a trial.

In Nova Scotia, anyone can be a juror if they are a Canadian citizen and 18 years or older UNLESS: Anyone who has been convicted of a crime and sentenced to two or

more years in prison Anyone who has attended or is attending a law school Anyone who works in the administration of justice (for example, a

police officer or an employee of the provincial or federal departments of Justice)

A Member of the House of Commons, the Senate, the House of Assembly or the Lieutenant Governor

An officer or non-commissioned member of the reserve Armed Forces on active service or an officer and non-commissioned member of the regular Armed Forces and special Armed Forces.

Doctors, dentists and clergy are no longer automatically exempt. They may apply to be excused.

Asking to be excused/deferred The Jury Coordinator has increased

authority to excuse people, without them having to appear, on the basis of hardship or illness. The Jury Coordinator can also defer someone to the next jury panel on the basis of inconvenience.

If the Jury Coordinator does not excuse or defer someone as requested, then the file is automatically forwarded to a judge to review.

Fees paid to Jurors $0.20/km both ways for travel if over

100km

If selected $40.00/day

How do you get Picked Your name was selected at random from

names taken from the Health Registration List. Every year in Nova Scotia, approximately 25,000 names are selected. Being selected means that you have to report for jury duty- it does not mean that you will necessarily sit on a jury.

Jury Selection Jury Panel is a pool of potential jurors

Step for Selection 1. Names are drawn randomly form a box 2. When chosen they go to front of the court

and face the accused 3. Both Crown and defence may object to a

potential juror by challenging this individual 4. Either counsel may make a challenge for

cause

Challenge for Cause Potential Juror is removed

Has already formed an opinion on the case Is physically unable to perform the duties of a

juror Has been convicted of a serious offence

5.A peremptory challenge is the right of the counsel to exclude someone from a jury without cause. Depending on the severity of the charge counsel

may have from 12 – 20 challenges

6. Juror’s Oath “ I swear to well and truly try and true Deliverance

make between our sovereign lady the Queen and the accused at the bar, whom I have in charge, and a true verdict give, according to the evidence, so help me God”

Summoned and Do not Show

Jury duty is responsibility that must be taken seriously. If you do not send in the Juror Information Form, or if you do not show up for jury duty without being excused, you may be arrested and fined up to $1000.