Bill Text: NJ A3023 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes hourly wage for juror be equal to State minimum wage.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-02-28 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee [A3023 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-A3023-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes hourly wage for juror be equal to State minimum wage.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning juror compensation in New Jersey court and amending P.L.1993, c.275.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 19 of P.L.1993, c.275 (C.22A:1-1.1) is amended to read as follows:
19. a. Every person serving as a juror in New Jersey courts, whether as a grand or petit juror, shall receive, for each [day's attendance] hour worked at such courts, [the] a sum equal to [of $5] the minimum wage rate pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1966, c.113 (C.34:11-56a4). The amounts received by jurors shall directly relate to the State minimum wage rate. Any increase in State minimum wage shall increase the amount a juror shall receive for each hour worked in such courts. Each person serving as a juror, other than a person compensated pursuant to N.J.S.2B:20-16, shall be paid according to this subsection for each eligible hour worked in New Jersey courts.
b. [In addition to the amounts received pursuant to subsection a. of this section, each person serving as a juror, other than a person compensated pursuant to N.J.S.2B:20-16, shall be paid $35 for each consecutive day of attendance in excess of three days. For the purposes of this subsection, "consecutive" days of attendance shall be counted excluding Saturdays, Sundays, State holidays and days when a trial is in recess.] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. ,c. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill)
c. The Assignment Judge of the vicinage shall designate the method of juror payment. The Assignment Judge shall keep an account of all juror fees paid under this section and provide each juror with a statement of the number of [days] eligible hours the juror served and the amount of fees to which the juror is entitled. The Assignment Judge shall determine eligible hours of jurors.
(cf: P.L.2001, c.38, s.1).
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill amends section 19 of P.L.1993, c.275 (C.22A:1-1.1) and establishes an hourly wage that is to be received by a juror working in the New Jersey courts. Currently, jurors receive $5 for each day's attendance. This bill requires the hourly wage of a juror be equal to the current State minimum wage. The hourly wage paid to a juror in New Jersey courts shall equal that of subsection a. of section 5 of P.L.1966, c.113 (C.34:11-56a4). N.J.S.22A:1-1.1 shall now require, in conjunction with subsection a. of N.J.S.34:11-56a4, a juror receive compensation in accordance with the State minimum wage. This bill removes subsection b. of N.J.S.22A:1-1.1 in order to limit the payment to jurors to hourly State minimum wage. Any person compensated pursuant to N.J.S.2B:20-16 shall not be eligible to receive hourly jury compensation. 2B:20-16 provides for usual compensation from the employer to any person employed full-time by any agency, independent authority, instrumentality or entity of the State or of any political subdivision of the State during jury service. Lastly, the bill requires the Assignment Judge provide each juror with a statement of the number of eligible hours the juror served.
