Jury duty

The jury system is an integral part of the judicial system and is coordinated by the Sheriff of Western Australia, both within the metropolitan area and major country centres.

Jury service is a vital component of civic participation in our democracy. For many people, this is the most direct contact they will have with this important community function. It involves giving time and effort. It also provides a positive appreciation of the court system and a direct opportunity to learn how the justice system works.

The electoral roll maintained by the Western Australian Electoral Commission is the source database for jury selection, with jurors being randomly selected by computer.

A jury is a group of 12 people randomly chosen who are sworn to try the issue of facts and return a verdict in criminal and civil trials.

Jury service is usually for one week and jurors are required to be available for this period.

Courts normally sit between 10am - 1pm and 2.15 - 4.15pm, however these hours may vary according to the requirements of the trial judge.

Employers are required to continue to pay their employees who attend jury duty. Employers may then apply to be reimbursed the wages paid to their employees. Self-employed jurors may also apply to be reimbursed income lost as a result of their jury duty.

Unemployed jurors are paid set attendance fees and all jurors are paid return public transport fares.

Jury duty video download

Watch the 15 minute movie 'A Fair Trial' to understand what is involved in serving on a jury.

To download (27MB), right click the image below and choose Save Target As.

Last Updated: 21-Oct-2009

 downloads

     Jury Duty

     Be Part of the Balance - Step up for Jury Duty

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