Hamilton County jurors to potentially see increase in pay

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County jurors may soon see an increase in their pay during trials.

The Hamilton County Commission will be considering an increase in the pay of jurors up to 20 dollars a day.

Currently, grand jurors are paid 13 and petty jurors are paid 10 per day.

Hamilton County Circuit Court Clerk Larry Henry says these rates have not been raised since 19-89, and are placing jurors at a disadvantage while serving our community.

“We’re simply asking that they not operate at a loss. Right now, the service they’re providing to the community, we’re asking them to pay out of their own pocket more than they’re getting from us. So, I would only add, and I was going to jump up to answer Commissioner Beck’s question, no it’s not really enough but it gets closer to breaking even,” said Hamilton County Judge Boyd Patterson.

This will come up for a vote next week as this will require 70 thousand dollars from the county’s fund balance to cover the pay increase.