The Secret State Caps
Even in states with the strongest worker protections, lawmakers understand that forcing a small business to pay a worker's full salary for a 4-week trial could bankrupt them. Because of this, almost every state law regarding employer pay has a hidden limit.
For example, if you live in Massachusetts or Colorado, the law says your employer must pay your regular wages... but only for the first 3 days. If you live in Connecticut, they must pay... but only for the first 5 days.
What Happens on Day 6?
Once you hit that state limit, your employer is legally allowed to turn off the cash flow. From that point forward, you are entirely reliant on the state's daily court stipend, which is notoriously awful (sometimes as low as $10 to $15 a day).
How to Protect Yourself
When you are in the courtroom during jury selection (voir dire), the judge will estimate how long the trial will last. If the judge says "two weeks" and you know your employer stops paying after 3 days, you must speak up right then and there.
Raise your hand and explain to the judge that your paid leave runs out on Wednesday and you cannot afford to feed your family on the court's $15 stipend. Judges do not want jurors who are distracted by financial ruin, and they will almost always dismiss you.