Jurica has a degree in comparative literature and philosophy, and a Master of Arts in literary theory from the University of Zagreb.

In 1990 he was a founding member of the Croatian Democratic Union and served as Political Secretary.

After being replaced as the Representative to the UN, the Croatian anti-corruption agency USKOK brought charges against Jurica for embezzlement of US$120,000.

[2] Jurica has described his finance as "chaotic" and reimbursed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the amount in question, but maintained that the money was not used for personal gain.

[3] On 22 April 2010, after a trial at the County Court in Zagreb, Jurica was sentenced to 18 months of prison.