The Issue

Every citizen called to serve on a jury plays a vital role in upholding justice. Yet in North Carolina, most jurors are paid only $15–$20 per day, far below what it costs to take time off work, pay bills, or support a family. This outdated compensation system dates back to medieval England, when most citizens were farmers, whose daily work had a much smaller financial impact. Today, inflation and modern living costs make these payments unfair, inequitable, and even a potential source of bias in juror decisions.

We propose:

Increase daily juror pay to $100, ensuring citizens can serve without financial hardship.
Supplement lost funds for hourly employees or those without paid leave.
Streamline payment processes so jurors receive compensation promptly.
Fair pay isn’t just about money; it’s about ensuring that jurors can serve impartially, with dignity, and without undue financial stress.

We, the undersigned, call on the North Carolina General Assembly and the Governor to implement fair juror compensation immediately.

Argument: “Raising juror pay to $100/day would be too expensive for the state budget.”

Response:

• Current court budgets already spend money on administration, staff, and facilities. Reallocating a portion of these funds could cover the increase.
• Fair compensation may reduce absenteeism, speeding up trials and saving money in the long run.
• It ensures broader civic participation, which strengthens the legitimacy of the justice system—an intangible but critical “return on investment.”
• Argument: “Some jurors can afford to serve at lower rates; why pay everyone $100?”
• Response:
  • Jury pools must be representative of the community. Low pay disproportionately excludes low-income citizens, creating bias in trials.
  • Flat-rate pay ensures equity and fairness, not preferential treatment.
  • Democracy relies on citizens of all economic levels being able to participate without hardship.

Sign your name to demand that every North Carolina juror is paid fairly.