🧮

Jury Duty Fees vs. Compensation

Don't confuse your juror compensation with jury fees. One is money in your pocket, the other is a massive fine for skipping service.

Legal terminology can be confusing. When people search for "jury duty fees," they are usually looking for one of two very different things: the money the court pays them, or the money they have to pay the court if they get in trouble.

Juror Compensation (What You Get Paid)

The money you receive for serving on a jury is properly called Juror Compensation or a Juror Stipend. It usually consists of a daily attendance fee (e.g., $15/day) plus a travel allowance. It is not considered a "wage" because you are not an employee of the court.

Contempt Fees / Fines (What You Pay)

If you ignore a jury summons and fail to show up, the judge can hold you in "Contempt of Court." The penalty for this is often referred to as a fee or a fine. Depending on your state, skipping jury duty can result in fines ranging from $100 to $1,500.

Civil Jury Fees (For Lawsuits)

There is a third type of fee. In civil lawsuits (e.g., someone suing a company for a slip-and-fall), the party that requests a jury trial usually has to pay a "Jury Fee" to the court. This fee covers the administrative costs of summoning citizens. This has nothing to do with you as a juror.

Bottom Line

Juror compensation is the small stipend you receive for serving. A 'Jury Fee' usually refers to the fines you face for skipping service or the costs lawyers pay to request a jury trial.