How Much Do You Get Paid for Jury Duty in Texas?
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Texas Bar verified. Reggie London (Texas Bar No. 24043514) and Njeri London (Texas Bar No. 24043266) are the co-founding partners of L and L Law Group, PLLC — based at 5899 Preston Rd, Suite 101 in Frisco, Texas (Collin County), with many 5-star Google reviews, and available 24/7 for criminal defense consultations.
Table of Contents
Texas state minimum
Texas Government Code §61.001:
- $6.00 first day. Reporting day minimum
- $40.00 per day. Each subsequent day if selected and serving
- Counties can pay more. Local supplements common
- Cannot pay less. Statutory minimum
- Mileage reimbursement sometimes. County discretion
- Parking reimbursement sometimes. Particularly major cities
County-by-county rates
| County | First Day | Subsequent Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harris (Houston) | $6 | $40-$60 | Subsequent days higher recent years |
| Dallas | $6-$10 | $40-$50 | Periodic increases |
| Tarrant (Fort Worth) | $6 | $40-$50 | Standard rates |
| Bexar (San Antonio) | $10 | $40-$50 | Slight first-day premium |
| Travis (Austin) | $10-$20 | $40-$58 | Higher rates |
| Collin (Frisco/Plano) | $6 | $40 | State minimum |
| Denton | $6 | $40 | State minimum |
| El Paso | $10 | $40 | Slight premium |
Rates change; verify with specific county.
Federal court rates
- $50 per day. Federal jurors
- $60 per day after 30 days. Long trials
- Travel reimbursement. Mileage
- Subsistence allowance. When travel substantial
- Parking reimbursement
- Federal employees continue regular pay
- Higher than Texas state court rates
Employer pay during jury duty
- Texas doesn't require employer pay. Unlike some states
- Many employers do pay. Voluntary benefit
- Sometimes require turnover of jury pay. When continuing regular pay
- Federal employees protected separately
- Cannot be fired for jury service. Texas Labor Code §122.001
- Damages for wrongful termination
- Some employers cap days paid
- Verify employer policy in advance
Total typical compensation
Example calculations:
- One-day reporting, not selected. $6-$20 typical
- Short 3-day trial. $6-$20 first day + $80-$120 subsequent = $86-$140 total
- Week-long trial (5 days). $6-$20 first day + $160-$240 subsequent = $166-$260 total
- Two-week trial. $6-$20 + $360-$540 = $366-$560 total
- Month-long trial. $806-$1,140 typical state
- Compare to federal rates. Substantially higher for longer trials
Have a Texas legal question?
Call L and L Law Group for a free, confidential consultation. We handle criminal defense across Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant counties.
Call (972) 370-5060In our practice defending Texas criminal cases, we have represented clients in Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant County criminal courts on the full Texas Penal Code and Health & Safety Code spectrum. Reggie's prosecutor background in Dallas County means we know the State's evidentiary playbook; Njeri's trial-trained motion practice anchors the suppression-driven defense work.
Key Legal Terms
- Penalty Group
- Texas Health & Safety Code § 481.102-481.105 classification of controlled substances by abuse potential and accepted medical use. Determines weight tiers and punishment ranges.
- Article 38.23
- Texas Code of Criminal Procedure exclusionary rule. Evidence obtained in violation of any federal or Texas constitutional or statutory provision is inadmissible against the accused.
- Aggregation
- Texas H&S § 481.002(5) rule that the total weight of any controlled substance, including adulterants and dilutants, counts toward the offense weight tier.
- 3g Offense
- CCP Article 42A.054 list of offenses ineligible for judicial probation and requiring 50% sentence served before parole eligibility (formerly Article 42.12 § 3g).
- Pretrial Diversion
- Pre-charge alternative under CCP Article 32.02 in which the prosecution agrees to dismiss charges upon successful completion of conditions (counseling, community service, restitution).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Texas jury duty pay?
Texas Government Code §61.001 minimums: $6 first day, $40 per subsequent day. Many counties pay more — Bexar $10 first day, Travis $10-$20 first day with $58 subsequent. Federal court: $50 per day; $60 after 30 days.
Is Texas jury duty pay enough to live on?
Generally no — $40/day is well below minimum wage equivalent for full-day commitment. Texas doesn't require employer pay during service. Many employees rely on employer continuation of salary as benefit. Self-employed face significant financial impact.
Does the federal court pay more for jury duty?
Yes — federal rates ($50/day; $60 after 30 days) substantially higher than Texas state ($6 first day, $40 subsequent). Federal also pays travel and subsistence. Federal employees continue regular pay during service.
Are mileage and parking reimbursed for Texas jury duty?
Sometimes — varies by county. Some counties reimburse mileage and parking; others don't. Major metros (Houston, Dallas) sometimes have parking reimbursement. Smaller counties variable. Check with specific county.
Do I have to declare Texas jury duty pay on taxes?
Yes — taxable income federal (Texas has no state income tax). Receive 1099-MISC or similar. Report on federal tax return. Deductible if required to turn over to employer who continued full salary. Generally modest tax impact given small amounts.
