Juries Act amendments impact on who can sit on a jury

An interesting change is included in proposed changes to the Juries Act.

The changes to s 38(1) suggest that anyone convicted of a hybrid offence will no longer be eligible for jury duty (even if the Crown elects summarily). (see text below).

This new change will exclude a large number of people from serving on juries in Ontario.

Juries Act

38. (1) Clause 4 (b) of the Juries Act is amended by striking out "an indictable offence" and substituting "an offence that may be prosecuted by indictment".