Jury Duty Pay in North Dakota

About Jury Duty in North Dakota

North Dakota doubled juror pay effective July 1, 2023, via HB 1002 — from $25/$50 to $50/$100 per day (half-day/full-day). The increase was requested by the North Dakota Supreme Court after testimony that 60% of jurors experienced financial hardship under the old rates. North Dakota now has some of the highest state-level juror pay in the nation.

How Jury Pay Works

Jurors receive $50 for a half-day (4 hours or less) and $100 for a full day (more than 4 hours), under N.D. Cent. Code § 27-09.1-14. Mileage is reimbursed at the state rate. The pay increase was part of a broader court budget allocation of approximately $960,000 for juror compensation plus $245,900 for mileage reimbursement.

Sparse Population, Big Distances

North Dakota’s low population density creates unique jury logistics. Some rural counties have jury pools of fewer than 50 people for the entire county. Slope County has approximately 700 residents. When a trial exhausts the local jury pool, courts must draw from neighboring counties — adding travel and logistical complexity for jurors who may live 100+ miles from the courthouse.

Employer Obligations

North Dakota employers are not required to pay wages during jury service but cannot penalize employees who serve. The strong state pay rate ($50–$100/day) partially compensates for the lack of an employer mandate — unlike Nebraska which requires employer wage continuation for all employees.

How North Dakota Compares

North Dakota’s $50/$100 rate is among the highest in the nation, putting it in a tier with New York’s $72/day and well above most other states. A full week of jury service (5 full days) pays $500 — more than three times what jurors in neighboring South Dakota ($50/day flat) receive, despite the states’ similar economic profiles. The 2023 increase transformed North Dakota from a below-average payer to one of the best. Federal jurors in North Dakota’s single district receive $50/day — less than the state rate for a full day of state court service.

Statute: N.D. Cent. Code § 27-09.1-14 — Official source