Jan 22nd 2008, 04:20

Jury Duty Pays

$40 per day in court

If you get chosen by the U.S. Federal Courts to participate in court hearing, you don't only get to say whether the accused is guilty or not, you even get paid for it. You can expect $40 from the court for every single day you're required to participate in the jury. Some courts even provide transportation and meal allowance.

Some courts would expect you to serve for one day, while some may require you to serve for as long as the trial runs. And if you're part of the grand jury, you may be required to serve for up to 18 months. However, those who will find it difficult to perform jury duty because of "undue hardship or extreme inconvenience" --for instance, they live very far from the court--may be granted a Temporary Deferral of Service upon the court's discretion.

Those who fear that they'll get fired for showing up in court instead of at work need not worry. The good thing about being a federal juror is that your employment is covered by the government. By law, your employer must allow you appear in court when you're required to do so. The law prohibits employers from firing, intimidating, or coercing any permanent employee because of their federal jury service.

You do not apply to be a juror, though. You have to be selected as a juror. The U.S. Federal Courts have a system called the Jury Selection Process, where names are randomly selected from a list of registered voters, or a combination of registered voters and people with drivers' licenses. Those who are selected must meet these qualifications:

• U.S. citizen,
• At least 18 years old,
• Lives in the judicial district for one year,
• Adequate proficiency in English,
• No disqualifying mental or physical condition,
• Not currently subject to felony charges, and
• Never convicted of a felony (unless civil rights have been legally restored).

You'll know it's your turn for jury duty if you receive a questionnaire which you have to complete and send back. The courts will then review your answers and send you a summons to appear in a court where the trial will take place. Finally, the judge and attorneys will ask you questions to determine if you're fit to be part of the jury.

If you'd like to learn more about the Jury Service Program, you may visit this web page: http://www.uscourts.gov/understand03/content_6_3.html

 

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