⚡ Texas Jury Duty Pay — Quick Facts

Day 1 Pay
$6
Appearance fee only
Day 2+ Pay
$40/day
TX Gov. Code §61.001
Mileage Rate
$0.17 /mi
Round-trip distance
Employer Pay
Not Required
But can't fire you

Texas has a unique two-tier jury pay system: $6 for day 1 (which is simply an appearance/reporting fee) and $40/day from day 2 onward. This makes Texas one of the higher-paying states once you're actually selected as a juror.

✅ Quick Answer: Texas pays $6 on day 1 and $40/day starting day 2. Mileage is $0.17/mile (round trip). Employers are not required to pay, but they cannot fire or penalize you for serving.

Texas Jury Duty Pay Schedule

Day of Service Court Pay Notes
Day 1 $6 Appearance/reporting fee only
Day 2 onward $40/day Full juror daily rate
Federal court (TX) $50/day Federal rate (then $60 after Day 10)

⚠️ Not Selected? If you report on Day 1 but are dismissed and not selected as a juror, you receive the $6 appearance fee only. You will also receive mileage reimbursement for that day.

Mileage Reimbursement in Texas

Texas courts reimburse jurors for travel at $0.17 per mile, calculated as the round-trip distance from your home to the courthouse.

  • Rate: $0.17/mile (round trip, not one-way like some states)
  • Parking: Not automatically covered — check with your courthouse
  • Some Texas counties supplement the state minimum — your summons will specify

Example: 5-Day Trial in Texas

  • Day 1: $6 (appearance fee)
  • Days 2–5: $40 × 4 = $160
  • Mileage (20 mi round trip × $0.17 × 5 days) = $17
  • Total court compensation: $183

Texas Employer Rules

Texas does not require employers to pay wages during jury duty. However, under Texas Labor Code §122.001:

  • ✅ Employers must grant time off for jury duty — they cannot deny it
  • ✅ Employers cannot fire, threaten, or penalize you for serving
  • ✅ You must be reinstated to your same position after service ends
  • ❌ Employers are NOT required to pay wages during the absence

💡 Check Your Employee Handbook: Many large Texas employers — especially in the energy, tech, and government sectors — voluntarily provide full pay during jury duty. This is increasingly common as a company benefit. Always ask HR before assuming you won't be paid.

Anti-Retaliation Protection in Texas

Texas Labor Code §122.001 makes it a Class B misdemeanor for employers to discharge or threaten to discharge an employee for serving on a jury. If your employer retaliates:

  • File a complaint with the Texas Workforce Commission
  • You may have a civil cause of action for lost wages and reinstatement
  • The employer can face criminal misdemeanor charges

Can You Get Excused from Jury Duty in Texas?

If you receive a summons but cannot serve, Texas allows you to request a postponement or complete excusal under specific circumstances. Most courts allow you to reschedule your service one postponement of up to 6 months. You can request this online through the specific district court's juror portal.

Who is Exempt from Jury Duty in Texas?

Texas law provides automatic or requested exemptions for several categories of individuals:

  • Seniors: Residents aged 75+ can request an exemption (either permanent or for that specific summons) based on age.
  • Medical Hardship: A physical or mental condition that makes serving impossible, verified by a physician’s note.
  • Caregivers: Individuals with active custody/care of a child under a certain age (or a dependent adult) with no alternative care.
  • Active Military & Students: Active duty military personnel stationed out of state, or full-time students.

Jury Duty Excuse Letter Template for Texas

If you need to submit a written request to be excused, you can copy and customize the template below to mail or email to the Texas jury commissioner:

[Your Name] [Your Address] [Date] Jury Commissioner / Clerk of Court [Name of Courthouse] [Courthouse Address] Re: Jury Summons Number: [Your Summons Number] Dear Jury Commissioner, I am writing to formally request to be excused from jury service scheduled for [Service Date], due to [Select Reason: age exemption (75+) / severe medical condition / caregiver duties / extreme financial hardship]. [Briefly explain details, e.g., "I am currently 75 years old and wish to exercise my right to the senior exemption under Texas law" OR "I am the primary caregiver for my child and have no alternative care options"]. I have attached the required supporting documentation (if applicable). Thank you for your time and understanding. Sincerely, [Your Signature] [Your Printed Name]

County-Specific Jury Duty Guides

Texas allows counties considerable flexibility in setting juror pay above the state minimum. Explore our detailed guides for Texas's largest counties:

Texas County Variations & Courthouses

While Texas law mandates a statewide pay rate ($6 for Day 1 and $40 thereafter), the administrative details, parking rules, and call-in procedures are managed at the county level. Large urban counties like Harris, Dallas, and Travis have different logistics for jurors.

Primary Reporting Locations

Depending on your residence, you will likely report to one of these major Texas hubs:

  • Houston: Harris County Civil Courts Building or the Criminal Justice Center.
  • Dallas: George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building or the Frank Crowley Courts Building.
  • San Antonio: Bexar County Courthouse in the historic downtown district.
  • Austin: Travis County Courthouse.
  • Fort Worth: Tarrant County Courthouse.

Notable County Differences

Texas counties vary in how they manage their juror pools:

  • Higher Local Pay: Counties like Harris and Dallas have opted to pay significantly more than the state minimum ($6/$40) to better support their residents. Both now pay $58 per day starting on Day 2.
  • Online Portals: Harris County is widely cited for its efficient online juror dashboard, allowing residents to postpone service or check their "standby" status from a smartphone.
  • Parking: In Bexar County (San Antonio), jurors receive free parking at the Bexar County Parking Garage with a validated summons. In Dallas, free parking is available for jurors at the Frank Crowley Garage.
  • Grand Jury: Some Texas counties (like Tarrant) have specific reporting instructions for Grand Jury pools that differ significantly from standard trial pools.

Real-World Case: 5-Day Trial in Dallas, Texas

To help you understand how Texas compensation works in practice, let's look at a typical 5-day service stint for a juror reporting to the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building in Dallas.

Scenario: 5 full days of attendance, 20-mile round-trip daily commute.

  • Attendance Pay: $166.00 (Day 1 is $6; Days 2, 3, 4, 5 are $40.00 each)
  • Mileage Reimbursement: $17.00 (20 miles round-trip × $0.17/mi × 5 days)
  • Total Estimated Payment: $183.00

*Note: Texas calculates mileage based on round-trip distance, unlike some states that only pay for the one-way trip.

What Happens if You Skip Jury Duty in Texas?

Jury duty is a legal mandate. Failing to appear after being properly summoned in Texas is considered Contempt of Court. While judges rarely issue arrest warrants immediately for a first-time miss, they have the legal authority to enforce the following penalties:

  • Fines: You can be fined up to $100 to $1,000.
  • Contempt Charges: A judge may issue a "Show Cause Order," requiring you to appear in court and explain your absence.
  • Criminal Record: Severe or repeated cases of skipping jury duty can result in misdemeanor contempt charges and a brief jail sentence in some counties.

If you missed your date, contact the jury office immediately. Most courts will reschedule you without penalties if you show cooperation.

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