District of Columbia Jury Duty Laws: Pay, Employer Rules & Exemptions (2026)
Short answer: D.C. Superior Court pays $50/day plus a $7 travel subsidy, in effect since 2022 and reported as still current in 2026. Jurors whose employer keeps paying them receive only the $7 subsidy. Must your employer pay you? Yes, partial: full-time employees get usual pay, less the jury fee, for the first 5 days. Employers with 10 or fewer employees are exempt. Updated
| Juror pay | D.C. Superior Court pays $50/day plus a $7 travel subsidy, in effect since 2022 and reported as still current in 2026. Jurors whose employer keeps paying them receive only the $7 subsidy. |
|---|---|
| Mileage / travel | $7/day travel subsidy |
| Must employers pay you? | Yes, partial: full-time employees get usual pay, less the jury fee, for the first 5 days. Employers with 10 or fewer employees are exempt. |
| Job protection | Employers may not fire or penalize jurors; an employee may sue to recover lost wages (D.C. Code § 15-718). |
Note: The Juror Pay Parity Act, reintroduced in Congress in March 2026, would tie pay to the federal rate; status unknown. The dccourts.gov payment page blocked automated access.
Law
- D.C. Code § 15-718
Sources
- code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/15-718
- wtop.com/dc/2022/05/dc-superior-court-raises-juror-payment/
- www.washingtoninformer.com/dc-jury-duty-pay-raise/
Courthouse Phone & Parking Rules in District of Columbia
Compare all 1 District of Columbia courthouses →
Before You Go
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does jury duty pay in District of Columbia?
D.C. Superior Court pays $50/day plus a $7 travel subsidy, in effect since 2022 and reported as still current in 2026. Jurors whose employer keeps paying them receive only the $7 subsidy.
Does my employer have to pay me for jury duty in District of Columbia?
Yes, partial: full-time employees get usual pay, less the jury fee, for the first 5 days. Employers with 10 or fewer employees are exempt.
Can I be fired for jury duty in District of Columbia?
Employers may not fire or penalize jurors; an employee may sue to recover lost wages (D.C. Code § 15-718).