All Americans must serve their country thru jury duty, but a lot of them say that they hate doing it. You cannot volunteer to be a juror for a case because you have no choice in the matter. They will pick you to serve, and all you can do is agree. You cannot say NO.
Anyway, people hate being a juror because it will entail hours of sitting down and listening to dull and boring cases. The best thing people get out of serving jury duty is the pay, according to many who have experienced it. If you didn’t know it yet, jurors are paid for their time.
Now, have you heard of mock trials? Mock trials are methods wherein lawyers can exercise their skills in court. It means there will be practice cases and they also need mock jurors for that purpose. This is where you come in. You can become a mock juror for these made up cases and earn some money as well.
But first, let’s talk about earning money as a real juror. Do you get paid for jury duty? The answer is a big YES. It is a responsibility of all Americans to serve as a juror, and with that, the government will pay you for your time.
How Jury Duty Works
Federal Jury
If you become a Federal juror, you will be paid $40 each day. Some trials are short, while others are longer than ten days. If the case you’re assigned to serve your jury duty lasts longer than ten days, then, you are paid more. You get $50 a day for a “trial” or a “Petit jury.” If it is a “Grand” jury, you will also get $50 per day; that is if you serve for more than 45 days.
For parking fees and other transportation expenses, you will get a full refund. At times when you are required to spend the night, the government will shoulder everything from food to accommodation expenses. Of course, your day will also be paid.
State Jury
State Court pays a bit more, depending on which state you’re serving as a juror. They don’t have standard rates since each state has their policy on juror pay rates.
In Missouri, a State Court juror receives $75 a day for serving jury duty and an additional $15 for gas or transportation fees. Some states give $25 per day for the jurors, while others offer $50. There are also states that pay $55 a day. If you compute that, on average, State Court jurors receive at least $45 daily.
Mock Juror For Mock Trials
Take note that these mock trials are done online. It’s not on-location, and you will be paid to participate in such sessions. But how does it work?
In regular court cases, the lawyers will provide all the arguments and counterarguments in a case. With that, the jury will have a significant job, and that is to listen to all the talks. The lawyers will lay everything down as they try to convince the jurors of “what happened,” “what’s right,” and “what’s legal.”
These lawyers have to present their cases with all they’ve got because the jurors will decide if they win or if they lose. The lawyer who wins the case will get all the good reputation and fame, while the lawyer who fails it will have an unfortunate client. It’s never easy to win a jury unless the lawyer gives it a good fight.
It is one of the reasons why there is a mock trial. With practice cases, lawyers can exercise their skills and strategies for when a real court case comes. They can create a scenario, and try to argue and counterargue their way through it just like an actual court proceeding. Mock jurors are also there to serve their purpose, and that is to review the arguments and evidence, and then, make their decision – GUILTY or NOT GUILTY. It’s like as if there’s a real case going on and even if it's just an exercise for the lawyers, the mock juror will be paid for his time.
Who Will Pay The Mock Jurors?
The cash will come from lawyers through websites who will connect them to “fake” jurors. There are online companies who run these mock cases and lawyers want to get paid for their practice service. Their clients will be responsible for paying everyone, and that includes the simulated jurors.
How Does A Mock Trial Work?
To be an online mock juror, you have to sign up with a website specializing in mock trials. At the moment, there are only two legit websites which operate online mock trials. These websites assure payment for services rendered. You just have to register and become a member.
Upon registration, you will have to input your personal information. With that, your details will be arranged for the jury pool, and you’ll just have to wait if they select you for a mock case.
If you’re chosen to participate, then, the practice case resources will be forwarded to you for reference. It can be in text form or audio material. The arguments and counterarguments are all there for you to read or listen. After reviewing all the resources, you have to answer a questionnaire regarding the mock case. Your decision on the case is required, and then, you’ll get your payment.
Two Mock Trial Websites
eJury
eJury is one of the first sites that offer mock trials, and it’s been operating since November 1999. They include mock jurors from all US states with various personal backgrounds, and they pay at most $10 for the participation. The payment is sent through Paypal.
Online Verdict
In Online Verdict, they require that you must be more than 18 years old to qualify as a member. You must also be a US citizen to participate in the mock cases. As for the pay, you will get at most $60 for a case review which can take up to one hour of work. For simple cases, a mock juror can get $20. They will send you a check payment when you’ve completed the case.
OUR VERDICT: Scam or Legit?
Earning from online mock trials is 100% LEGIT. There’s just not that many mock trial websites available online, but if you do become an approved member for eJury or Online Verdict, you will surely get your chance to “fake” serve and earn at the same time.
YOUR TURN
Have you tried becoming a juror? How much did you get for your service? Have you experienced mock jury duty? How much was the pay? How was the whole experience for you? Please tell us all about it!
