A Day in the Life of an Ontario Juror

Curious about what your first court day will look like? This guide walks you hour-by-hour through a typical Ontario juror day, with packing lists, pro-tips, and compensation checkpoints so you can arrive confident. If you still need the big-picture view, explore our selection guide or brush up on courtroom etiquette afterward.

Arrival & Security Screening

You’ll want to reach the courthouse doors between 7:45 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. to clear the airport-style scanners before roll call. Ontario courthouses require government photo ID plus the summons letter, so keep both in an easy-access pocket. Security lines often snake outside during winter—layer clothing you can remove quickly once inside. Expect to place bags, belts, and metal objects in a tray; laptops must be fully powered. Average wait time hovers around 18 minutes in Toronto but can drop to five in smaller districts like Kenora.

After screening, follow signage to the juror lounge—usually on level two or three. A sheriff’s officer scans your summons barcode and stamps your attendance card. This stamp is crucial for compensation processing; missing it means no stipend for the day. Keep your card flat; creased cards jam the finance scanners at day’s end. Once stamped, you officially become part of the day’s panel. It’s common to sit for up to 45 minutes while court clerks verify no-shows and update the docket.

Waiting in the Juror Lounge

With ID checked, you’ll spend the next stretch in the juror lounge—think lecture hall meets airport gate. Seats fill fast, so grab one near power outlets if you plan to charge a phone. Announcements arrive over a PA system every 20–30 minutes; listen for your panel number. Noise is generally low, but headphones are allowed as long as you keep one ear free for calls. Free Wi-Fi exists, yet peaks at noon, so download podcasts beforehand.

Voir Dire & Further Waiting

When the clerk guides your panel to the courtroom, silence your phone and line up outside double doors. The judge will briefly outline the case, then lawyers may question individual jurors to uncover bias—this is voir dire. Not everyone is questioned; random draws decide the order. Each exchange lasts only minutes, but with 100 people, the total can stretch hours. If excused, you return to the lounge; otherwise you’ll be sworn in and seated in the jury box.

Your Courtroom Day in 10 Quick Steps

As you can see, only about three of those ten blocks involve active courtroom time—the rest is waiting or paperwork. Use these pauses to log hours for your stipend and stay hydrated. Dive deeper into compensation details or estimate your earnings with our calculator.

Lunch Break & Facilities

Most judges break between 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. The cafeteria line rivals a busy food-court, so those who packed lunch can relax in the juror lounge. Nearby options within a 5-minute walk:

• Civic Café – Soup & sandwich combos, under $12
• Queen St. Bento – Hot bento boxes; pre-order online
• Oak Espresso – Quick wraps & good Wi-Fi

Remember, alcohol is strictly prohibited during service—returning with alcohol on breath is grounds for dismissal. Keep receipts; meals over regular courthouse hours are reimbursable.

Court Session: Swearing-In, Evidence & Focus Strategies

Once selected, you’ll enter the jury box and swear an oath or affirmation to judge the case impartially. Note-taking is permitted on court-supplied notebooks that remain in the courtroom. Expect witness testimony, documentary exhibits on monitors, and occasional sidebar conferences where white-noise machines mask legal arguments. Use brief recesses to stretch; standing is discouraged during evidence unless you have a documented medical need.

Headphones, smartwatches, and laptops stay out of reach once proceedings begin. The clerk will cue you if screens display sensitive material. If you miss a detail, jot a note and request clarification through the foreperson at deliberation time; never raise hands during testimony.

End-of-Day Checkout & Pay Vouchers

Around 4 p.m. the judge dismisses jurors. Return to the lounge where finance clerks exchange your stamped attendance card for a Certificate of Attendance—your key to mileage and daily allowance. Your travel formula looks like:

(round-trip km × ¢40) + (hours in court × $ rate) = daily voucher

For precise numbers, revisit the stipend calculator. If exhausted, ask the sheriff for a deferral from future selection days—details in our excusal guide.

Frequently Asked Questions