⚖️ Jury Selection Cost Estimator
Estimate voir dire, juror compensation, and administrative costs for your case
Estimated Cost Breakdown
How to Use This Tool
Follow these steps to generate an accurate jury selection cost estimate:
- Select your case type (Civil, Criminal, Small Claims) and jurisdiction (Federal, State, County) from the dropdown menus.
- Enter the number of prospective jurors summoned for voir dire, and the total number of days the jury selection process will take.
- Input the hourly rates for your attorney and paralegal (if applicable), the court filing fee for your jury demand, the daily compensation rate for jurors in your jurisdiction, and the administrative fee per prospective juror.
- Click the Calculate button to view your detailed cost breakdown.
- Use the Reset button to clear all inputs and start over, or the Copy Results button to save your estimate to your clipboard.
Formula and Logic
All cost estimates are calculated using the following standardized formula, adjusted for your input values:
- Total Attorney Fees = Attorney Hourly Rate × ((Voir Dire Days × 8) + 4) – Assumes 8 hours of in-court time per day of voir dire plus 4 hours of pre-selection preparation.
- Total Paralegal Fees = Paralegal Hourly Rate × (Voir Dire Days × 4) – Assumes 4 hours of daily support work per day of voir dire.
- Total Juror Compensation = Prospective Jurors Summoned × Voir Dire Days × Juror Daily Rate – All summoned jurors are paid for each day they report for voir dire, even if dismissed early.
- Total Administrative Fees = Prospective Jurors Summoned × Administrative Fee Per Juror – Covers summons mailing, background checks, and court administrative processing.
- Total Court Filing Fees = Flat fee charged by your jurisdiction to request a jury trial.
- Grand Total Estimated Cost = Sum of all above line items.
All results are rounded to two decimal places and formatted in USD. You can adjust the juror compensation rate and administrative fees to match your specific jurisdiction’s published rates.
Practical Notes
Jury selection costs vary significantly by jurisdiction and case type. Keep these legal-specific considerations in mind when using this tool:
- Federal jury trials typically have higher juror compensation rates (up to $60 per day) than state or county trials (often $10–$30 per day).
- Criminal cases may require longer voir dire periods than civil cases, increasing attorney and paralegal hour requirements.
- Some jurisdictions waive filing fees for small claims or indigent parties – verify your eligibility before including this cost.
- Juror compensation rates are set by state or federal statute and are subject to annual adjustment – always use the most recent rate published by your local court.
- This tool does not account for additional costs such as expert witness fees, jury consultant fees, or post-selection motions.
Why This Tool Is Useful
Jury selection is a mandatory but often overlooked cost in litigation budgeting. This tool helps:
- Small business owners facing commercial litigation avoid unexpected legal expenses.
- Individuals representing themselves (pro se) understand the full financial scope of requesting a jury trial.
- Legal professionals provide accurate cost estimates to clients during case intake.
- Paralegals and legal assistants prepare detailed budget reports for case management.
All estimates are generated instantly in your browser, with no data stored or shared with third parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this estimate legally binding?
No. This tool provides rough cost estimates for planning purposes only. Actual costs may vary based on case-specific factors, last-minute schedule changes, or unexpected voir dire delays. Always consult a qualified attorney for binding cost projections.
Do I need to include paralegal rates if I’m representing myself?
No. If you are acting as your own attorney (pro se), you can leave the paralegal rate field blank or set to 0 – the tool will automatically exclude paralegal fees from your total estimate.
Why does the tool calculate compensation for all summoned jurors?
Most jurisdictions require courts to pay all summoned jurors for each day they report for service, even if they are dismissed during voir dire. This ensures your estimate accounts for the full potential juror compensation liability.
Additional Guidance
Always verify all input values against official court publications before relying on your estimate:
- Check your local court’s website for current juror compensation rates and filing fee schedules.
- Confirm the expected length of voir dire with your attorney – complex cases may require 5+ days of selection.
- Note that this tool does not account for sequestration costs, which apply only in rare high-profile criminal cases.
- Jurisdiction-specific rules may change annually – we recommend checking for regulatory updates every 6 months if you use this tool for recurring budgeting.
- This tool does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice specific to your case.