Jury Duty Pay in Montana

About Jury Duty in Montana

Montana pays $12 per day for jury panel attendance and $25 per day for seated jurors — a two-tier structure that provides a meaningful bump for those actually selected. Rate has not been substantively increased since 1981. A 2025 bill (SB 370) to raise pay to $60/day died in committee.

How Jury Pay Works

Under MCA § 3-15-201, all jurors called receive $12/day just for appearing (panel attendance). Those selected from the panel and sworn receive an additional $13/day, totaling $25/day. Mileage reimbursement typically follows the federal GSA rate, which is often the more meaningful component for rural Montanans given the long travel distances. Montana is a “one day or one trial” state.

The Geography of Jury Service

Montana’s 56 counties cover 147,000 square miles (4th largest state) with a population of just over 1.1 million. Garfield County spans 4,800 square miles (larger than Connecticut) with a population of roughly 900. Beaverhead County at 5,543 square miles exceeds the size of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined. Some courthouses serve areas larger than entire East Coast states.

Eastern Montana’s plains and western mountain ranges create dramatically different jury experiences. Missoula and Gallatin counties (Bozeman) have growing populations and modern court facilities. Eastern counties — like Carter, Fallon, and Wibaux — are among the most sparsely populated jurisdictions in the continental US.

Employer Obligations

Montana employers are not required to pay wages during jury service. The state’s economy — agriculture, energy extraction, tourism (Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks), and a growing tech sector in Bozeman and Missoula — means employer practices vary widely.

How Montana Compares

Montana’s $12/$25 rate reflects its status as a state that hasn’t updated juror compensation in over 40 years. Neighboring Wyoming pays $30/day base and South Dakota $50/day. North Dakota pays $50/$100 per half/full day — a dramatic contrast within the same region. Federal jurors in Montana’s single district (covering the entire state) receive $50/day, and the court may arrange travel and lodging for jurors summoned from hundreds of miles away.

Statute: Mont. Code Ann. § 3-15-201 — Official source