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Starting Aug. 4, the state Judicial Council plans to reduce per diem payments to thousands of jurors. They will get $10 per day instead of the current $20 per day for jury duty.
State Court Administrator Sue Dosal said the pay cut will save the state $1.1 million each year.
Officials say it was a tough decision, but that cuts needed to be made to help reduce the court system’s $19 million deficit.
Critics of the reduced pay include Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner, who said paying jurors $10 a day for the job is insulting.
“It’s enough of a burden for jurors to give up their time for this important civic purpose. To not even be able to give them the current fee is really bad form,” she said.
In addition to the per diem, jurors receive 27 cents per mile and can be reimbursed for day care — $40 per day for unlicensed day care and $50 per day for licensed day care. Reimbursement rates for those won’t be changed.
Last year, 72,068 prospective jurors reported to courthouses in Minnesota. A fraction of those — 14,322 — landed on a jury.
Minnesota used to pay jurors $30 per day, and the pullback will put the state out of line with its neighbors. Wisconsin provides $16 per day plus travel expenses. South Dakota gives a mileage allowance and at least $10 for each day jurors report to courthouse and $50 each day they hear a case.
The federal courts award $40 a day, plus travel and parking expenses.
Per diem isn’t as vital for jurors as the mileage and day care payments, said Bill Dixon, the Minnesota contact for the Fully Informed Jury Association, which educates citizens on the responsibilities of serving on juries.
“Ten dollars less a day — is that going to make a big difference in most people’s lives?” he asked. “You can hardly take your wife out to lunch for $20 anymore.”
Dosal noted that jury duty is considered a civic responsibility, and paying jurors is merely a way to help offset the costs of going to court.
There is no obligation that employers pay employees called for jury duty. Jury service can be postponed if those selected for it demonstrate a financial hardship.
Dosal said the 25-member Judicial Council of judges and court administrators could ask the Legislature to restore per diem funds. But the reduced rate will apply through next year.
“We are very concerned about this and of course are discussing what we might do going forward,” she said.
