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Support Services for Ontario Jurors

Practical, emotional and financial help—before, during and after your service.

Jury duty can be as demanding emotionally as it is logistically. Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General funds a network of confidential, cost-free programs so jurors can focus on fair deliberation without worrying about meals, mental health or transit costs. This guide walks you through every support service for Ontario jurors, how to access them, and the forms you will need. Using these resources will never compromise your privacy or the integrity of the verdict.

On-Site Court Services

Jury Officers

Jury officers are your first point of contact from the moment you check in. They answer questions, provide orientation material, distribute daily attendance forms and can arrange comfort items such as ergonomic cushions or lined notepads. Tip: ask early if you need special seating or a note-taking laptop (permitted in long civil trials with approval).

Quiet & Reflection Rooms

Most courthouses reserve at least one room for silent breaks. No phones, news or discussions of the case are allowed—just a place to breathe. Ask the jury officer for the key card or escort. Etiquette: limit sessions to 15 minutes if others are waiting.

Meal Vouchers

When court runs past noon, jurors typically receive vouchers redeemable at nearby cafeterias or approved vendors. In the GTA you might see Tim Hortons, Freshii or courthouse cafés; rural courts contract local diners. Keep allergy-related receipts—if you cannot use the voucher, you may claim the actual cost on Form JUR-5.

Prayer & Meditation Spaces

Multi-faith chapels or designated rooms support religious observance. Let the jury officer know if you need timed breaks for worship so the presiding judge can schedule recesses accordingly. Head coverings and modest attire are always respected under Ontario’s Human Rights Code.

Post-Trial Mental-Health Programs

Juror Support Program

Ontario’s Juror Support Program (JSP) offers up to eight counselling sessions—phone, video or in-person—within twelve months of your trial finishing. You can self-refer by calling the dedicated hotline or ask the judge for a direct referral. Sessions are confidential under the Evidence Act; counsellors cannot be compelled to testify about what you share.

Community Distress Centres

Distress Centres of Ontario operate 24 / 7 listening lines staffed by trained volunteers. They use the “deflood” technique—naming emotion, normalising reaction, refocusing breathing—to stabilise callers until professional help is arranged. Call any time if intrusive memories or insomnia surface.

CAMH Trauma Counselling

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health accepts juror referrals for longer-term trauma therapy. Ask your family doctor for a letter referencing the trial name (no case facts required). Wait-times average four to six weeks, but remote CBT modules begin sooner.

Call the hotline or email the address given in your post-trial package. Provide your summons number and preferred contact method. A counsellor will call back within two business days to schedule your first session.

Nothing. The Ministry pays counsellors directly. If you choose a private therapist, keep receipts; some employer benefits plans reimburse additional sessions beyond the eight covered by JSP.

Sessions last 50 minutes and focus on coping skills—breathing techniques, cognitive framing, and gradual exposure to triggering memories. Therapists never ask for confidential jury room deliberations; you remain bound by the juror oath.

Financial & Logistical Help

Ontario recognises the out-of-pocket costs of civic service. The programs below operate in tandem with the juror compensation scheme.

Service What’s Covered How to Access
Travel Expense Advances Mileage at $0.34/km, transit fares, hotel if >200 km from home Request Form J-4 from the jury office before the trial starts
Parking Waivers Municipal lot fees for full trial duration Show your summons barcode at kiosk or marshal desk
Child-Care Reimbursement Up to $50/day, higher with pre-approval for specialised care Submit receipts with Form JUR-5 within 30 days of verdict

Travel Reimbursement Estimator

Estimated Mileage: $0.00

Calculation uses $0.30 per kilometre—rate last reviewed 2025. Actual payment is $0.34 and may change without notice.

Community Resources Beyond the Courts

  • Legal Aid Ontario – income-based certificates for complex legal questions related to jury service. 1-800-668-8258
  • Pro Bono Ontario Hotline – free 30-minute advice for civil matters. 1-855-255-7256
  • Victim/Witness Assistance Program – emotional support for jurors exposed to graphic evidence. 1-888-646-5487
  • Ontario 211 – connects you to local social services including crisis lines and shelters. Dial 211
  • Family Service Agencies – sliding-scale counselling for spouses and children processing juror stress. Check your municipality’s listings or call 1-877-355-3559.

Support Services FAQ

The Juror Support Program covers counselling within 12 months of service. Beyond that window you may still qualify through the Distress Centres or your workplace EAP. If intrusive memories persist, ask your family doctor for a referral to trauma-focused therapy—OHIP covers most psychiatric services.

No. Calls to the hotline and sessions with counsellors are protected by confidentiality. Service providers cannot disclose your identity or content of discussions without your written consent, and courts cannot subpoena those records.

On-site amenities, hotline calls and the first eight counselling sessions are fully funded by the province. Out-of-pocket expenses—parking, mileage, child-care—are reimbursed after you submit receipts. Keep copies for at least seven years for CRA purposes.

Most payments arrive within four to six weeks by EFT if you enrol on Day 1. Paper cheques can take up to eight weeks. Call the jury office with your summons number if payment exceeds this timeline.

Yes. Ontario treats child-care and elder-care as separate hardship categories. Provide itemised receipts and a brief note explaining overlap dates. Approval is common when both expenses are necessary to attend court.

Mileage rules allow up to 80 km daily; longer distances require pre-approval but are rarely denied. For counselling, tele-health sessions satisfy program requirements. Clinic offices will mail workbooks to you if internet connectivity is limited.

Support services for Ontario jurors ensure you can serve confidently and recover fully—use the help you’ve earned.

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