A jury pay increase went into effect in Harris County and the State of Texas, the county’s district clerk office announced Friday.
The payment for the first day of jury service will go from $6 to $20, and from $40 to $58 for subsequent days, according to a news release.
“Since taking office in 2019, Harris County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess has actively worked with Texas lawmakers to increase jury pay,” the release said. “She is confident it will help improve participation and will boost diversity in Harris County juries, where minority communities, especially African Americans and Hispanics, are underrepresented.”
“This new method makes payments to jurors easier and faster,” said District Clerk Burgess. “Some jurors may not have a bank account and being paid with a check at the end of their service may not be the most convenient option for them. These pay cards make jury service payments more efficient and convenient,” she added.
Burgess said while Hispanics represent 43% of the county’s population, only 23% appeared for jury service during that same timeframe.
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