Texas law requires counties to pay jurors at least $20 for the first day and at least $58 for each later day; the county commissioners court sets the actual amount1. Your employer does not have to pay you2.
What two large counties pay
First-day pay
From the second day, both counties list $58, the state minimum34; Harris County adds that later-day pay is calculated by the State Comptroller based on available state funding3. The state pays counties back $14 for each first day and $52 for each later day5.
How you are paid, and when it expires
How you receive jury pay depends on the county: Texas law allows checks and other approved payment methods6. Follow the payment instructions from the court that summoned you.
Payment timing
A prepaid Jury PayCard on the day of service, or, if you choose, a check mailed by the County Treasurer7.
Payment is mailed after your service ends8.
Cash or deposit a check, or use a card balance, before the 90th day after it is issued. After that it is void and the county may keep the money6.
Donating your pay
Everyone who reports must be offered the chance to donate all or part of their pay9. The law lists these recipients:
| Where a donation can go | Who chooses it |
|---|---|
| The state's crime victims' compensation fund | Set by law9 |
| The county child welfare board | Set by law9 |
| A family violence shelter program | Chosen by the commissioners court9 |
| Other programs the commissioners court approves | The commissioners court9 |
| A veterans treatment court program or veterans county service office | Established by the commissioners court9 |
You choose which of these get your donation9.
In Dallas County, donated pay goes to at-risk youth in the Juvenile Department or the foster care system10.
Your employer and your pay
Your employer is not required to pay you for time missed for jury service, but cannot fire you for serving2. Texas jury duty and your employer.
What to do next
- Check your county's jury page or summons for its daily rate; the law sets only a minimum1.
- Cash or deposit your payment before the 90th day after it is issued6.
- If you want to donate, follow your county's instructions; it must offer a written or electronic way to do so, and some counties offer it after your service ends9.
Related
Sources
11 official sources, with the exact sentence each rule comes from
- Tex. Gov't Code § 61.001 – Reimbursement of Expenses of Jurors and Prospective Jurors. Tex. Gov't Code § 61.001(a)-(b)."(1) not less than $20 for the first day or fraction of the first day the person is in attendance in court in response to the process and discharges the person's duty for that day; and (2) not less than $58 for each day or fraction of each day the person is in attendance in court in response to the process after the first day and discharges the person's duty for that day."
- Jury Service in Texas, Texas Judicial Branch / Office of Court Administration (txcourts.gov). OCA juror information page; Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code ch. 122 (no pay requirement)."Your employer is not required to pay you for any time that you missed from work due to jury service. However, your employer cannot fire you while you are fulfilling your civic duty."
- Harris County District Clerk - Getting Prepared (Jury Services page template). Harris County District Clerk, Jury Services page (What do I get paid?); Tex. Gov't Code ch. 61."Jurors will receive $30 for the first day of service and $58 per day after the first day until released. Jurors serving more than one day of jury service will be compensated at a rate calculated by the State Comptroller based upon available state funding."
- Dallas County Jury Services - Payments/Certificates. Dallas County Jury Services, Payments/Certificates page; Tex. Gov't Code ch. 61."Petit jurors will be reimbursed $20.00 for the first day of jury service; $58.00 for each subsequent day of jury service."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 61.0015 – Reimbursement to County. Tex. Gov't Code § 61.0015."(a) The state shall reimburse a county: (1) $14 a day for the reimbursement paid under Section 61.001(a)(1) to a person who reports for jury service in response to the process of a court for the first day or fraction of the first day in attendance in court in response to the process; and (2) $52 a day for the reimbursement paid under Section 61.001(a)(2) to a person who reports for jury service in response to the process of a court for each day or fraction of each day after the first day in attendance in court in response to the process."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 61.001 – Reimbursement of Expenses of Jurors and Prospective Jurors. Tex. Gov't Code § 61.001(f)."If a check, instrument, or other method of payment authorized under Section 113.048, Local Government Code, representing a reimbursement under this section is not presented for payment or redeemed before the 90th day after it is issued: (1) the instrument or other method of payment is considered forfeited and is void; and (2) the money represented by the instrument or other method of payment may be placed or retained in the county's jury fund, the county's general fund, or any other fund in which county funds can be legally placed, at the discretion of the commissioners court."
- Harris County Auditor - Juror Pay Card Review. Harris County Auditor, Juror Pay Card Review memo (Apr. 29, 2024)."On the day of jury service, the District Clerk's Office physically distributes pay cards to jurors; if a juror chooses to receive a check instead of a pay card, the check is mailed by the County Treasurer's Office."
- Dallas County Jury Services - Payments/Certificates. Dallas County Jury Services, Payments/Certificates page."Payment is mailed once your jury duty is complete, unless you chose to donate your jury pay. Please allow 10 days to 2 weeks to receive your pay."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 61.003 – Donation of Reimbursement. Tex. Gov't Code § 61.003(a)."(a) Each person who reports for jury service shall be provided the opportunity, either through a written form or electronically, to direct the county treasurer or a designated county employee to donate all, a specific amount designated by the person, or the entire amount divided among the funds, programs, and county entities listed in this subsection of the person's daily reimbursement under this chapter to: (1) the compensation to victims of crime fund established under Subchapter J, Chapter 56B, Code of Criminal Procedure;"
- Dallas County Juror Handbook (2025). Dallas County Juror Handbook (2025); Tex. Gov't Code § 61.003."Donations of jury pay go to at-risk youth in the Juvenile Department or in the Foster Care system in Dallas County."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 61.001 – Reimbursement of Expenses of Jurors and Prospective Jurors. Tex. Gov't Code § 61.001(c)."(c) A person who reports for jury service in a municipal court is not entitled to reimbursement under this chapter, but the municipality may provide reimbursement for expenses to the person in an amount to be determined by the municipality."
Reviewed by Roger K. Neustadt, JD, attorney admitted in Georgia. Verified November 10, 2026.
Roger K. Neustadt is admitted in Georgia; pages about other states and federal courts are general information checked against official sources. How we check every rule: editorial policy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
This page explains the law in general terms and is not legal advice. Jury Duty Explained is not affiliated with any court. Your summons and your court's instructions control, so check them first.