Federal Jurors Get 25 Percent Pay Hike

For the first time in 28 years, jurors in federal court will receive a pay hike of 25 percent. That means that for each day that a person sits as a juror in federal court, he or she will receive a check for $50, up from $40 that has been in effect since 1990.

President Trump signed the bill into law that takes effect May 7. The raise was included in a bill that provided the federal judiciary with $7.1 billion in discretionary spending, an increase of $184 million from the previous fiscal year, according to a news release from the U.S. Courts that provides support to federal courts across the country.

Jurors who serve in Cook County Circuit Court receive $17.50 per day for their service.

Federal court jurors in the Chicago area serve at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago’s Loop. They also receive reimbursement for travel (54.5 cents a mile) as well as a paid lunch at the Fresh Seasons Cafe, on the courthouse’s second floor.

“This is an excellent result and enables the Judiciary to fulfill its mission,” James C. Duff, Director of the U.S. Courts Administrative Office in Washington, D.C., said in a statement. “We are especially pleased that Congress recognized the critical public service provided by the citizens who serve on juries as well as the attorneys who represent defendants who can’t afford a lawyer.”

 

© 2018 by Clifford Law Offices PC.
This post was written by Robert A. Clifford of Clifford Law Offices PC.

Jurors Use Social Media To Research Case Details [VIDEO]

Jurors sometimes use social media sites to research case details, but surprisingly, doing so is not always grounds for reversal of a verdict. This video outlines case examples of this behavior, along with practical steps you can take to reduce the risk of having social media  impact your next case.