The pay for jurors serving in Minnesota's district courts will double, starting next week.
Jurors will make $20 for each day they report to the courthouse, and they will be reimbursed for the round-trip mileage between their homes and the courthouse at the rate of 54 cents per mile. Currently, jurors are paid $10 per day and are reimbursed for mileage at the rate of 27 cents per mile.
The increase is the result of a funding push at this year's Legislature by the state's judicial branch. Gov. Mark Dayton signed a bill providing new funding of a $1.5 million annually to cover the new rates.
"Jury service is one of our most important civic duties as Americans," Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea said in a statement.
"While we know that the small amount jurors receive for their service doesn't reflect the importance of their work, we hope that this higher compensation will make it a little easier for citizens to participate in their justice system. We are grateful to the governor and Legislature for supporting this funding request, and for helping us send a message to jurors that we value the crucial role they play in our courts."
In addition to per diem and mileage reimbursement, jurors who normally are caring for their children during the day can be reimbursed for child care expenses during their service, up to $50 per day per family.
In 2015, more than 44,000 Minnesota citizens reported for jury duty in the state's district courts. More information about jury service in Minnesota can be found at www.mncourts.gov/jury.
DAVID CHANEN
