If you are an eligible U.S. citizen, then you have to respond to a jury duty summons. But what about compensation for your time? As you serve on a jury, your regular bills, work, and food expenses still need to be covered. Here is what the California justice system mandates for pay:
Locally, the law states that you are qualified to be a juror if you are a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, and can understand English well enough to discuss the case. You also must reside in the county that sent the summons, have not served as a juror in the past 12 months, and are not already on a grand or trial jury, under a conservatorship, in jail, on parole or probation for a felony, registered as a sex offender, or convicted of wrongdoing while in public office with no restoration of civil rights.
Under California law, employers are not required to pay employees during jury service, but some may have jury-leave policies that provide workers with pay while at court. However, under California law, employers cannot terminate an employee who is summoned to serve as a juror and cannot work.
According to the California Courts website, the state pays jurors $15 per day starting on the second day of service if their employers do not compensate them. Government employees receive full pay and benefits while on jury duty. Jurors can also receive mileage or public transit reimbursement.
The “One Day or One Trial Jury Service” program allows a person to fulfill jury service in various ways. Trial lengths differ, but jurors should be prepared to stay the entire day during court operating hours. Most trials last 3-7 days, but some may go even longer.
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