⚡ Texas Jury Duty Pay — Quick Facts
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
Postponement & Hardship in Texas
Texas allows jurors to request postponement online through the specific court's juror portal. Most Texas district and county courts allow one postponement of 6–12 months. Valid hardship reasons include:
- Financial hardship for self-employed individuals
- Medical conditions (with physician documentation)
- Sole caretaker responsibilities
- Pre-paid non-refundable travel
- Prior jury service within the past 12 months
⚠️ Self-Employed in Texas? Texas jurors receive only the court's stipend ($6 Day 1, $40 from Day 2). With no employer supplement, self-employed Texans face the most financial impact. Document all lost income carefully for a potential hardship request.
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:
- Harris County (Houston) Jury Duty Pay Guide — Higher pay ($30/Day 1, $58/Day 2+) and specific downtown parking info.
- Dallas County Jury Duty Pay Guide — Updated rates ($20/Day 1, $58/Day 2+) and Frank Crowley parking tips.
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.
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