Pay for jury duty increased to $100 per day in seven California counties in welcome trial program

This initiative, funded by California’s General Fund, is part of a broader effort to ensure juries reflect the community more accurately.Photo byWesley TingeyonUnsplash

Starting this week, jurors in Alameda County will see a significant boost in their compensation as part of a state-funded pilot program aimed at increasing jury participation and diversity. Beginning September 2, 2024, the program will provide jurors with $100 a day and $0.67 per mile for travel to and from the courthouse. Current jurors will begin receiving this enhanced compensation starting on the same date.

Alameda County is among seven superior courts participating in this pilot, alongside those in El Dorado, Fresno, Imperial, Monterey, San Bernardino, and Shasta counties. This initiative, funded by California’s General Fund, is part of a broader effort to ensure juries reflect the community more accurately.

Presiding Judge Thomas Nixon expressed enthusiasm about the program, stating, “Jurors are essential to our judicial system, and we need to do all that we can to increase participation.” The Judicial Council of California has enlisted the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) to assess the program's effectiveness in boosting both participation and diversity. The NCSC will monitor jurors' demographics and participation levels throughout the pilot.

The new compensation levels come as a part of AB1981, legislation passed in 2022 to improve jury service incentives. Currently, jurors receive $15 per day and $0.34 per mile, with additional reimbursement for public transportation up to $12 a day. The pilot program, which will run for two years or until the allocated $27 million is used up, aims to test whether higher compensation leads to greater jury involvement.