El Dorado County (Sept 4, 2024) – Jurors in El Dorado County will receive a much-needed boost in compensation, starting from the second day of service, as part of a broader initiative aimed at strengthening civic participation. The current rate of $15 per day will rise to $100, and mileage reimbursement will nearly double to $0.67 per mile roundtrip. This increase is part of a pilot program under Assembly Bill 1981, spearheaded by the Judicial Council of California. The program seeks to evaluate whether improved pay rates can draw a broader cross-section of the community into jury service.
“Jurors play a critical role in our justice system by ensuring everyone can take advantage of the fundamental right to a jury of their peers,” said California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. “Jurors help deliver that fundamental right and the promise of fair and equal access to justice for all Californians.”
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El Dorado County’s Presiding Judge Vicki Ashworth echoed these sentiments, stating, “El Dorado County is excited to participate in this pilot program to help relieve some of the financial concerns our citizens face when called to serve on a jury. We believe this increase will greatly improve participation in jury service thereby maintaining an individual’s constitutional right to a jury of his/her peers.”
The pilot program is being funded in seven counties: Alameda, El Dorado, Fresno, Imperial, Monterey, San Bernardino, and Shasta. Scheduled to run until early 2026 or until funds are exhausted, this initiative aims to offer critical insights into the role of financial incentives in promoting a more diverse jury pool. At the program’s conclusion, the Judicial Council will present a report to the California State Legislature outlining its findings and recommendations for fostering juror diversity.
For more information on this initiative, residents can contact (530) 621-7469 for the west slope or (530) 573-3078 for South Lake Tahoe. Further details on jury service are available at For general information on jury service, visit eldorado.courts.ca.gov/divisions/jury or courts.ca.gov/juryservice.htm.
