Summoned for Jury Selection / Duty | GTAMotorcycle.com

Summoned for Jury Selection / Duty

M

MaksTO

Well-known member
So I thought this was something that only happened in the movies. I mean, I'm kidding, but when I got the questionnaire a few months back, I didn't think that I'd win (lose?) the lottery and get selected.

Some preliminary research showed me that employers are not responsible for covering your pay while you are completing Jury Duty. This seems a little stupid, since if someone is living paycheck to paycheck (lots of people... and me...), this could be financially ruining.

I know it's a civic duty, and I have no problem doing it morally or anything, but also, I can't afford to take a week off without pay unless it's a planned vacation or something. Even a few days off work could destabilize the whole money situation depending what I have going on that month (in this case, a dentist appointment, which already makes it a bad month lol!).

Is this a valid reason that I could present to not have to serve? I just think it's insane that I have to financially cripple myself in order to do this...
 
Sucks to be you...I was summoned many years ago (trying to think if it was before or after my divorce in 2009), but anywho, I sent a letter to the DOJ (IIRC) stating that I had an elderly mother who need care (which I did) and that it would've been a hardship for me to attend/be selected...nope, sorry, not a good enough reason...spent 1.5 days sitting around the Milton courthouse (which trust me, is like a hole in the wall) only to be told the end of the second day that the two parties came to an agreement and the case was dismissed...waste of time...I was working at the time (my mom was elderly, but in a nursing home - just thought that excuse would work) and had to book two supply teachers and use two of my sick days...it sucks...
 
ifiddles said:
Sucks to be you...I was summoned many years ago (trying to think if it was before or after my divorce in 2009), but anywho, I sent a letter to the DOJ (IIRC) stating that I had an elderly mother who need care (which I did) and that it would've been a hardship for me to attend/be selected...nope, sorry, not a good enough reason...spent 1.5 days sitting around the Milton courthouse (which trust me, is like a hole in the wall) only to be told the end of the second day that the two parties came to an agreement and the case was dismissed...waste of time...I was working at the time (my mom was elderly, but in a nursing home - just thought that excuse would work) and had to book two supply teachers and use two of my sick days...it sucks...
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wow that’s brutal.

I’ll try the financial hardship petition, and hope they take it… Guess it will be a dice roll.

I’ve had friends who just straight up didn’t show up to selection, which is super bold, but I’d rather not risk jail…
 
I've never been selected.

I'd *love* to be selected. I'd like to experience it.

I've worked at my current employer for coming up on 20 years and it's in our contract that we get paid 8 hours every day of jury duty for however long it takes.

I've never been selected.
 
MaksTO said:
So I thought this was something that only happened in the movies. I mean, I'm kidding, but when I got the questionnaire a few months back, I didn't think that I'd win (lose?) the lottery and get selected.

Some preliminary research showed me that employers are not responsible for covering your pay while you are completing Jury Duty. This seems a little stupid, since if someone is living paycheck to paycheck (lots of people... and me...), this could be financially ruining.

I know it's a civic duty, and I have no problem doing it morally or anything, but also, I can't afford to take a week off without pay unless it's a planned vacation or something. Even a few days off work could destabilize the whole money situation depending what I have going on that month (in this case, a dentist appointment, which already makes it a bad month lol!).

Is this a valid reason that I could present to not have to serve? I just think it's insane that I have to financially cripple myself in order to do this...
Click to expand...

"I have little faith in our justice system and don't think I would be able to convict anyone of anything with good conscience"

You will be immediately dismissed.
 
I have been summoned 5 times, never picked. At least two days and once four days (lots of trials apparently). I believe there were three different employers involved and all covered the time off. I only had to give them a copy of my summons (as early as possible so they can cover your absence) and proof that I attended.

I have listened to many people discussing their reasons for being excused while waiting to see the sheriff (and after) and financial NEVER is accepted. It is your civic duty and they make that perfectly clear. If you are selected for a jury you are paid by the government (I believe its about $16/hr)

IMPORTANT: They usually tell you when you are dismissed that if you need proof of attendance they will supply it. If its not mentioned see the people at the desk and ask for one before you leave.

EDIT. Was just reminded it has been seven times, three times in the last 5 years.
 
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I filed hardship and got out of possible jury duty. Work and family commit is a big deal. You might be stuck on a case for who know how long.
But email them sooner than later.
 
MaksTO said:
So I thought this was something that only happened in the movies. I mean, I'm kidding, but when I got the questionnaire a few months back, I didn't think that I'd win (lose?) the lottery and get selected.

Some preliminary research showed me that employers are not responsible for covering your pay while you are completing Jury Duty. This seems a little stupid, since if someone is living paycheck to paycheck (lots of people... and me...), this could be financially ruining.

I know it's a civic duty, and I have no problem doing it morally or anything, but also, I can't afford to take a week off without pay unless it's a planned vacation or something. Even a few days off work could destabilize the whole money situation depending what I have going on that month (in this case, a dentist appointment, which already makes it a bad month lol!).

Is this a valid reason that I could present to not have to serve? I just think it's insane that I have to financially cripple myself in order to do this...
Click to expand...
you can tell them you cant do it, they'll be cool with it.

My wife once got selected, but I checked the mail too late, nothing happened
(even though the legal experts of GTAM will tell you swat teams will kick your door down and haul you away for a life sentence in cuffs)
 
hdsomeday said:
I have been summoned 5 times, never picked. At least two days and once four days (lots of trials apparently). I believe there were three different employers involved and all covered the time off. I only had to give them a copy of my summons (as early as possible so they can cover your absence) and proof that I attended.

I have listened to many people discussing their reasons for being excused while waiting to see the sheriff (and after) and financial NEVER is accepted. It is your civic duty and they make that perfectly clear. If you are selected for a jury you are paid by the government (I believe its about $16/hr)

IMPORTANT: They usually tell you when you are dismissed that if you need proof of attendance they will supply it. If its not mentioned see the people at the desk and ask for one before you leave.

EDIT. Was just reminded it has been seven times, three times in the last 5 years.
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16/hr might be reasonable. They are not reasonable. No pay for first 10 days. Days 10 to 48, $40/day. Day 49+ $100 per day. System is very broken. Good luck.

Edit:
Assuming 22 work days per month:
If trial lasts one month a juror gets $480
Two month trial 1360
Three month 3200.
That is gross income. Juror pays for transportation and parking to get to court. For many, that means net revenue will be negative and they are donating their time.
 
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GreyGhost said:
16/hr might be reasonable. They are not reasonable. No pay for first 10 days. Days 10 to 48, $40/day. Day 49+ $100 per day. System is very broken. Good luck.
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hmmmm.....thats not what we were told. They told us at the start it was $120/day for 9am to 5pm (approx) with lunch break. I distinctly remember thinking that wasnt too bad. That was on my last trip, about 8 months ago.

Maybe depends on location or trial?
 
hdsomeday said:
hmmmm.....thats not what we were told. They told us at the start it was $120/day for 9am to 5pm (approx) with lunch break. I distinctly remember thinking that wasnt too bad. That was on my last trip, about 8 months ago.

Maybe depends on location or trial?
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Here's my source which is consistent with what I have heard before. Source is two years old so maybe something improved? Iirc theres also a mileage component if the courtroom is more than 40 km from your house but most people dont qualify for that.

 
No pay for the first 10 days
$40/day till day 49
$100/day there after

Most trial last a couple of days... a week.

Show up drunk
 

Jury duty in Ontario

What you need to know about the jury duty process and what to do if you’re selected.
www.ontario.ca www.ontario.ca

If you think you can’t do jury duty​

It is your civic duty to serve as a juror but you may not be able to because of:

  • sickness
  • booked travel
  • employment
  • other hardships
  • a move
  • working in certain professions
You may request a deferral (to have your jury service rescheduled to a later date) or an excusal (to be fully excused from jury duty for this year).

To request a deferral or excusal, contact the courthouse immediately by email or phone (contact information located at the top left-hand corner of the summons).

Only a judge can grant a deferral or excusal. You may need to provide any available documentation by email that supports your request (for example, receipts for booked travel, or a driver’s license, utility bills, or a purchase or lease agreement with a new address).

The judge may:

  • excuse you
  • ask you to participate at a later date
  • require you to go to jury duty
 
Relax said:

Jury duty in Ontario

What you need to know about the jury duty process and what to do if you’re selected.
www.ontario.ca www.ontario.ca

If you think you can’t do jury duty​

It is your civic duty to serve as a juror but you may not be able to because of:

  • sickness
  • booked travel
  • employment
  • other hardships
  • a move
  • working in certain professions
You may request a deferral (to have your jury service rescheduled to a later date) or an excusal (to be fully excused from jury duty for this year).

To request a deferral or excusal, contact the courthouse immediately by email or phone (contact information located at the top left-hand corner of the summons).

Only a judge can grant a deferral or excusal. You may need to provide any available documentation by email that supports your request (for example, receipts for booked travel, or a driver’s license, utility bills, or a purchase or lease agreement with a new address).

The judge may:

  • excuse you
  • ask you to participate at a later date
  • require you to go to jury duty
Click to expand...
A friend sat through three days of selection and didnt get picked. Some others in his pool were making a case for sole-proprietor or crohn's that required hourly pit stops. Judge said he didnt care about sole proprietor, he was still in. Judge said crohns guy would be accommodated and he was still in. System sucks.
 
Further to my last post......I am one of the few that looked forward to being selected to a jury, for the experience, so I never attempted to be excused. I wasnt aware you could do that via email or phone prior to showing up. I was only aware that you had a two chances to be excused (well, three actually but more on the last later).

First chance-when you arrive you are told you can ask to be excused by writing a note and waiting to see the sheriff who will review your reasons and decide.

Second-if you are 'pre-selected' you are called to a courtroom where the judge will explain the case and approximate length. You then have the chance to be excused but you have to explain your reasons to the judge who then will decide. In my experience this is done in front of everyone present in the courtroom.

Up to this point I have never seen anyone excused.

Your last chance is before the prosecuting and defense lawyers who pick the jurors. You are asked questions and are either selected or excused (there are precise words that I dont remember). I made it this far once and was rejected by the defense. To be honest it hurt, almost as bad as being dumped by a girlfriend.

Again, these are my experiences. Yours may vary. As for payment, thinking back, I was never told about juror pay until the last time. Given it was in the middle of the pandemic perhaps thing changed or it was 'a special time'.

EDIT: Just to add, depending on where you are there are a lot of people waiting with you when you arrive (hundred to a few hundred). It depends on how many trials are scheduled. You wait for 'pre-selection' which is a 'random' pick of 30-50 people. Those people are brought into the courtroom for that particular case and everything is explained. Again there is a 'random' selection of people to be selected for the jury. The rest are sent back to the original room to wait (or sent home if that is the only scheduled trial). The randomly selected people are brought to another room to wait. They are then brought into the courtroom one by one to be questioned by the prosecution and defense. This is when you are either selected or excused. If not selected you go back and wait for the next selection or sent home (again, depending on number of trials).

Just wanted to give everyone that has never experienced it an idea of what goes on. Wordy I know but I actually enjoyed it all. It was fun to watch how everyone reacts to whats going on. You get to see all sorts of emotions, all sorts of people. It really is something everyone should go through.
 
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