Jury Duty Pay in Arkansas

About Jury Duty in Arkansas

Arkansas pays seated jurors $50 per day — among the highest state rates in the nation — while non-seated (excused) jurors receive a minimum of $15/day set by the county quorum court. The $50 rate is particularly notable given Arkansas’s relatively low cost of living.

How Jury Pay Works

Under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-34-103, seated trial jurors receive $50/day. Jurors who appear but are not selected receive at least $15/day (county-set). Mileage reimbursement typically follows the federal GSA rate. Public employers cannot deduct jury fees from employee salaries (Ark. Code Ann. § 21-5-104).

The $50/Day Rationale

Arkansas’s $50/day rate for seated jurors is particularly notable given the state’s economic context. Arkansas has one of the lowest costs of living in the country, meaning the $50/day rate goes further than the same amount in higher-cost states. For many Arkansas jurors, $50/day approaches or exceeds their regular daily earnings.

The rate also means seated Arkansas jurors receive the same base pay as federal jurors, who earn $50/day. Arkansas is one of the few states where state and federal jury pay are equivalent for empaneled jurors.

Employer Obligations

Arkansas employers are not required to pay wages during jury service. The state’s philosophy appears to be that a high state rate compensates jurors adequately without shifting the burden to employers. This differs from states like Connecticut or New York, which pair employer mandates with varying state rates.

Geographic Considerations

Arkansas’s 75 counties range from Pulaski County (Little Rock) to sparsely populated Delta counties. The rural nature of much of the state means some jurors face long drives, but the $50/day rate — plus mileage — makes the financial impact manageable for most.

How Arkansas Compares

Arkansas’s $50/day for seated jurors is near the top of the national range, matching South Dakota and approaching New York’s $72/day. The contrast with neighboring Oklahoma ($20/day) is dramatic. The regional disparity makes Arkansas a standout — a state where jury pay approximates a fair day’s wage.

Statute: Ark. Code Ann. § 16-34-103 — Official source