I think I'm going to get a job offer.

[Jeebo]

It'll be only a part-time temporary position, but hey, every little bit helps. I don't need the money either; I'm retired and my Social Security and University of Missouri pension are enough to keep me reasonably comfortable, especially since my house and car are paid for. But as I said, a little bit of extra income? Shucks, I'll take it.

Problem is, the pay is pitiful. The full-time permanent people who work there get salaries ranging from a comfortable middle-class salary with benefits, to hundreds of dollars per hour. The part-time temporary people who work there, on the other hand, get less than federal minimum wage: only six dollars per day. Not six dollars per HOUR, but six dollars per DAY.

Not only that, but I can't decline the job offer if I decide that I won't work for such substandard wages. If I try to decline the job offer, they'll charge me with contempt of court, arrest me and put me in jail.

Why do jurors get paid so little? It's partly because those wages were set way back when six dollars a day was a fair wage, but why hasn't it been increased since then?

I find this so outrageous that I would like to picket the courthouse with signs that read, "I will not work for six dollars a DAY! I won't even work for six dollars an HOUR!" "Judges get upper-middle-class salaries with benefits, bailiffs and court reporters get middle-class salaries with benefits, and many lawyers get hundreds of dollars per HOUR! So WHY do jurors get only six dollars per DAY?"

I'd like to picket the courthouse, but I can't be going to jail. But if several dozen prospective jurors were to do that, I would take the chance of jail and join them. If several dozen prospective jurors, or several hundred, would just REFUSE to work for those wages, I would join them.

I have been told, jury duty is a sacred and noble duty, a rite of citizenship, a part of what it means to be American. I don't disagree with that, but if it's true, it's all the more reason why they should pay jurors a decent wage. At least federal minimum wage, which is going to go up to $15 per hour soon, I am confident.

What do y'all think about this?

-- Ron

[frazzled]

1. Gee, we get $17 a day

Or at least that’s what I’ve gotten the 4 or 5 times I’ve had to go. It just about pays for the travel and lunch.

I’m now just old enough to be able to decline, and I plan to do so. Nobody should want me on a jury anyway. Not only do I have a tendency to over analyze and ask questions, I am also very indecisive!

[Phoenix61]

2. I think it's a way to ensure the "right" people

are on the jury. Imagine how many people would happily serve if it didn’t cost them a days pay they can’t afford to lose.

[Mr.Bill]

3. In October I got called for Jury Duty.

Last edited Sun Feb 7, 2021, 01:51 AM - Edit history (1)

I have always wanted to serve on a jury, but never get picked. We get $15 a day here. It was a murder trial. It wasn't a did he do it, it was whether it was self defense or not. The twist was that the defendant, victim and many witnesses were deaf, so there were sign language interpreters present. Because of the virus the county has rented a roller skating rink to hold the trial in, so everybody could stay distant. It took 12 days, I was an alternate juror, so I didn't participate in the deliberations, which took three days. He was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, and with time already served since his arrest, he will be out this summer. It was a great experience.

[dawg day]

6. Wow. What an experience.

You had the perfect storm of jury experiences!

[Mr.Bill]

7. The only thing missing was the ambience of a courtroom.

I mean who would have ever thought there would be a murder trial at a skating rink. What was cool is it was walking distance from where I live. I was able to come home for lunch every day.

[sweetloukillbot]

4. The one time I actually had to show up I was compensated by my day job

The catch was that I had to give them the $20 or so I was paid for jury duty, or provide the check as proof which was then deducted from my 8 hours' pay.

[Laffy Kat]

5. Do it!

I used to get a summons every year and it seems like I always got selected for a trial. It was never anything very exciting but it was an interesting experience and I got to meet new people. We usually got a meal out of it, too. Unfortunately, the last couple of years I have not been called. I'd LOVE to be on a grand jury.