jury fees

Jury fees are the daily stipend paid to jurors for jury duty . Jurors are paid a flat fee for attendance each day and sometimes paid additional travel reimbursement by mileage (amounts dependent on the state or federal law ). Jury fees are intended to offset the expenses incurred by jury duty, such as missing work, traveling, and food expenses. However, jury fees are not equivalent to standard employment wages. For example, in New York , the daily fee is $40, but in Federal Courts , the fee is $50.

In civil cases , the party seeking a jury trial usually must pay jury fees or trial fees which will offset the government’s costs of providing juries. The fees must be paid in a timely manner before the trial begins.

In criminal cases , the defendant may be required to pay for jury fees should the defendant seek a jury trial. In general, the defendant may apply to the court for a fee waiver if they are unable to afford to pay jury fees.

[Last reviewed in March of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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