Jurors pay increases in state, county

Grimes County citizens summoned to jury service will get a pay hike this fall thanks to new state legislation that took effect Sept. 1, to help offset travel costs associated with coming to the courthouse to fulfill their civic duties.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 3474 into law in late June, increasing jury pay from $6 to $20 for the first day of service, and raising jury pay from $40 to $58 per day for those impaneled to serve for a trial.

Grimes County Commissioners court recently voted unanimously to raise that rate from $58 to $60 per day for those impaneled to serve for a trial. The new law affects those summoned for petit juries for both county court at law and district court and those serving on grand juries.

The law also extends the age of exemption from jury service from 70 years of age to 75 years of age and allows anyone over age 75 to receive a permanent exemption from jury duty.

Grimes County Clerk Vanessa Burzynski says her staff is available to answer any questions about jury pay or exemptions regarding service. The county clerk’s office may be contacted Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., by phone, 936-873-4410, or email, countyclerk@grimescountytexas. gov