A bill that would increase pay for jury members in Michigan is on its way to the Senate floor.
State officials said people often lose money on jury duty, through loss of wages and the cost of food and parking.
State representative Peter Lucido ( R-1 36 ) has sponsored a measure to increase juror pay by five-dollars a day. Under the measure, jurors would receive a starting rate of $30 for a full day and $15 for half a day. With each subsequent day, it would increase to $20 for a half day and $40 for a full day, and finally $22.50 for a half day and $45 for a full day.
Lucido said he has heard many people say the current rate of $25 a day, is just not adequate.
“Most of them complained about, not taking time off and losing a paycheck, that’s a given. Not taking money out of their pocket to pay for daycare to take care of their children, but it was the fact that they lost money when they had to park a car. In Detroit it costs 20 to 25 dollars to park a car, and for a half a day juror service they give you 12 dollars and 50 cents.”
Lucido said his bill would help jurors at least break even.
“So if it costs 25 dollars to park the car, at least give them 25 dollars for their parking. They’re already losing their day's pay, they’re already losing their daycare, they’re also losing their money as it relates to feeding themselves.”
Lucido said the pay rate for jurors in Michigan has not changed in 15 years.
He’s hoping an increase in pay will make people more receptive to jury duty
The bill is on its way to the Senate floor.