News Item
Juror per diem and mileage reimbursement to double beginning July 5

Posted: Wednesday, June 29, 2016

The Minnesota Judicial Branch will soon double the per diem and mileage reimbursement paid to jurors serving in the state’s district courts.
 
Jurors whose service begins on or after July 5, 2016, will be paid $20 for each day they report to the courthouse, and will be reimbursed for the roundtrip mileage between their home and the courthouse at the rate of 54 cents per mile. Currently, jurors in Minnesota courts are paid $10 per day and are reimbursed for mileage at the rate of 27 cents per mile.
 
The increase in juror per diem and mileage reimbursement is the result of new funding approved during the 2016 Legislative Session. The Minnesota Judicial Branch sought the funding increase as part of its supplemental budget request, and Governor Mark Dayton included the request in his supplemental budget recommendations. The Legislature approved the new funding – $1.5 million annually – as part of the omnibus supplemental budget bill (Chapter 189), which was signed into law on June 1.
 
“Jury service is one of our most important civic duties as Americans,” said Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea. “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 are normally caring for their children during the day can be reimbursed for childcare 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.
 
The National Center for State Courts maintains state-by-state information on juror pay.