FRANKFORT, Ky. — One Kentucky state senator wants to raise juror pay by a hefty amount and said it should have happened a long time ago.
What You Need To Know
- Senate Bill 22 would raise juror pay
- If passed, it would go from a daily rate of $12.50 to $125
- The bill, filed by State Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Fruit Hill, has bipartisan support
- The average juror was paid $16.61 for their first day of duty, according to a 2022 study
Last month, State Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Fruit Hill, filed Senate Bill 22. It would raise juror pay from the current $12.50 to $125 daily.
Kentucky’s current rate went into effect in 1978, 46 years ago.
“I mean, it's just a pitiful amount of money,” Westerfield said. “This bill raises that daily pay to $125 per day, which is still not what it ought to be, but at least it's a proper amount.”
Westerfield believes this is the first time in more than 40 years lawmakers have pushed to raise juror pay, he said. He adds while his bill’s passage would cost the state more money, the investment is worth it.
Kentucky also does not require employers to compensate employees for jury duty.
“If we actually adequately compensated jurors, so it wasn't such a hardship to show up, that would be another success story for our court system and for the justice that we administer through our court system every day in civil and criminal cases alike,” Westerfield said.
Westerfield’s bill has bipartisan support. It has not yet been brought up in committee.
According to a 2022 study from the National Center for State Courts, the average juror was paid $16.61 for their first day of jury duty. Some states increase compensation for subsequent days of service.
Last year, that same organization found at least six states, including Indiana, passed legislation that increased juror pay.