Find out about jury duty

A “jury summons” is a court order. Unless you've been excused from jury duty, you have to go to jury selection at a specific time and place. Each and every time you receive a summons, you have to be excused by the sheriff or judge.

Although you may not be chosen as a juror, you do have to show up at jury selection. If you do not show up, you may be subject to severe penalties provided by law.

How a jury is chosen

Each time a jury trial is scheduled, the Sheriff’s Office summons potential jurors from the community of the trial. The number of summons varies, depending on the trial’s circumstances. Summonses are randomly generated. This means that any person in the community can be summoned.

You'll receive:

• a summons;
• a Jury Certification Form; and
• a prepaid envelope

Fill out this form in a timely manner and submit it.

In person:
Sheriff's Office
Andrew A. Philipsen Law Centre
2134 2nd Avenue (ground floor)
Whitehorse

Mail:
Government of Yukon
Court Services (J-3D)
Box 2703
Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6

Some people may not have to serve on a jury because:

• of the type of work they do; or
• they're otherwise unable or not allowed to.

People who cannot serve on a jury

• RCMP members
• Members of the Legislative Assembly
• Elected First Nations chiefs
• Lawyers
• Social workers in the Yukon public service
• Probation officers
• Members of Queens’s Privy Council
• Judges
• A person convicted of a criminal offence:
  • whose term of imprisonment exceeded 12 months was imposed; and
  • who has not been pardoned by the Government of Canada for this offence.
• A person who's physically-challenged, such as being blind or deaf
• A person who is mentally-challenged
• A person for whom jury duty would create undue hardship, such as:
  • a mother nursing a child;
  • a person suffering from a serious illness; or
  • a person whose holiday plans include non-refundable travel.

People exempt from jury duty

Some people are exempt from jury duty. This means that they do not have to serve as jurors if they do not wish to. They still need to ask the sheriff to be excused from serving on a jury. These include:

• a clergy of any denomination;
• a firefighter;
• a doctor;
• a nurse;
• a dentist;
• a pharmacist;
• a postmaster;
• a member of the naval, army or air force armed forces of Canada;
• a person who works in a plant producing electricity or distributing water for public consumption; or
• a person who has served on a jury in the past 2 years.

A person over the age of 65 may be excused under section 6 of the Jury Act.

If you need to be excused from jury duty

1. Put your request in writing on the juror certification form and where possible include supporting documents (for example, travel confirmation.)
2. Make sure the sheriff receives it before you have to appear.
3. The sheriff will then let you know whether or not you're excused. You may be asked to provide further information. This information is treated as confidential and destroyed following the trial.

If you have not heard from the sheriff by the selection date

1. Appear at the jury selection time and place.
2. Ask to speak to the judge.
3. The judge will listen to your reasons and decide whether or not you're excused.

You are not allowed to smoke, chew gum, eat or drink while at the jury selection.

1. You will be met by a sheriff’s officer at the door and directed into the room.
2. The sheriff’s officer will call the roll and make sure everyone on the jury selection list is present.
3. The judge will appear.
4. The sheriff’s officer will report anyone from the list who is not there.
5. The judge will explain the jury selection process and the specifics of the trial.
6. You then have a chance to ask to be excused.
7. If the judge agrees, you'll be excused.
8. 12 names will be drawn and these people will be:
   • either chosen as jurors; or
   • challenged by the lawyers on both sides.
9. The judge will excuse all the people not chosen as jurors.
10. Please park your vehicle in accordance with City of Whitehorse Bylaws. The Sheriff's Office cannot forgive your parking tickets.

If you're chosen as a juror

The trial starts right away

You will be given enough time to make personal arrangements, such as letting your employer or family know about your jury duty.

The trial starts later

The judge will ask you to attend court at a specific date.

If you need to leave the room during the jury selection process

The selection process usually takes about 2 hours. Depending on specific circumstances of the trial, the process can take longer.

Usually, you have to stay in the room where the selection is taking place. If you need to make a special phone call or take a health break, talk to a sheriff’s officer. They will advise the judge of your absence if your name is called. The selection procedure will wait until you return.