Jury Duty Pay in District of Columbia

About Jury Duty in Washington DC

DC raised juror pay from $30 to $50 per day in May 2022 — matching the federal rate — and provides an additional $7 per day travel stipend ($57 total). Employers with 10 or more employees must continue regular wages for up to 5 days. DC also offers free childcare and WiFi for jurors, making it one of the most juror-friendly jurisdictions in the country.

How Jury Pay Works

DC pays a flat $50/day attendance fee plus a $7/day travel stipend, for a total of $57/day. Under D.C. Code §§ 11-1912 and 15-718, employers with 10+ employees must pay full-time employees their usual compensation (minus the $50 juror fee) for jury service of 5 days or less. Smaller employers are exempt. Government employees whose employers pay them during service do not receive the attendance fee.

The Federal-Local Hybrid

DC’s court system is unique. The Superior Court handles local cases (criminal, civil, family, probate) while the US District Court handles federal cases, many involving the federal government itself. Both courts draw from the same DC resident jury pool, meaning DC residents have a higher probability of serving on a jury than residents of any state. The employer mandate and $50/day rate apply to Superior Court; federal jury service follows federal rules with the same $50/day rate.

Free Childcare and WiFi

DC is one of the few jurisdictions to offer free childcare for jurors — a practical benefit that removes a major barrier to service for parents. Free WiFi is available in all jury assembly rooms. The DC Superior Court is located at Judiciary Square Metro station (Red Line), making it one of the most transit-accessible courthouses in the country.

Employer Obligations

The employer mandate in DC is strong but limited: it applies only to employers with 10+ employees, only to full-time employees, and only for the first 5 days of service. After day 5, the $50/day fee is the sole compensation unless the employer voluntarily continues pay. This is similar to New York’s structure where employer obligations end after day 3.

How DC Compares

DC’s $57/day total makes it among the most generous jurisdictions for juror compensation. Only New York at $72/day significantly exceeds it. Neighboring Maryland pays $15/day for the first 5 days, and Virginia pays $50/day flat without the travel stipend. The free childcare and WiFi are benefits few other jurisdictions match.

Statute: D.C. Code §§ 11-1912, 15-718 — Official source