NCJ Number
59527
Date Published
Unknown
Length
14 pages
Annotation
THIS BILINGUAL (FRENCH AND ENGLISH) CANADIAN BOOKLET GIVES A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT A JUROR IN ONTARIO, CANADA CAN EXPECT TO HEAR, SEE AND DO AS A MEMBER OF A JURY.
Abstract
THE INFORMATION FURNISHED IS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE JURY SYSTEM FOR THE PROSPECTIVE JUROR. IT DESCRIBES THE FUNCTION OF THE JURY; THE PARTICIPANTS AT A TRIAL; HOW JURIES ARE SELECTED FOR A CRIMINAL AND CIVIL TRIAL; THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL TRIAL PROCESS; AND THE CHARGE TO THE JURY. IT DISCUSSES THE ROLE OF THE COUNSEL, CAUTIONS JURORS ABOUT NOTE-TAKING, AND EXPLAINS WHY AN OATH IS SOMETIMES NECESSARY. THE JUROR-TO-BE IS WARNED OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF DISCUSSING THE CASE WITH ANYONE, AND CITED THE LAW FORBIDDING THIS PRACTICE. THE HANDBOOK ADVISES THAT JURORS KEEP AN OPEN MIND ON ALL ISSUES UNTIL THEY HAVE HEARD AND CONSIDERED ALL THE EVIDENCE, ARGUMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS. TRIAL DELAY IS EXAMINED, PAYMENT TO THE JUROR DETAILED, AND THE COURT SCHEDULE DEFINED. LASTLY, APPROPRIATE DRESS FOR A JUROR AND PROCEDURES FOR APPLICATION TO BE EXCUSED FROM JURY DUTY ARE ADDRESSED. THE BOOKLET IS ILLUSTRATED WITH LINE DRAWINGS. (MJW)