Jury Selection Cost Estimator
Estimate voir dire and jury selection expenses for your case
Cost Breakdown
How to Use This Tool
- Gather your case details: jurisdiction, number of prospective jurors, voir dire duration, and applicable fee rates.
- Enter all required values in the input fields. Use the dropdown to select your jurisdiction type.
- Click the Calculate Costs button to generate a detailed cost breakdown.
- Review the results, then use the Copy Results button to save the breakdown for your records.
- Use the Reset button to clear all fields and start a new estimate.
Formula and Logic
This tool calculates jury selection costs using the following formulas:
- Total Juror Compensation = (Prospective Jurors Summoned) × (Juror Daily Compensation) × (Voir Dire Duration in Days)
- Total Attorney Fees = (Attorney Hourly Rate) × (Attorneys Assigned) × (Voir Dire Duration) × (Average Daily Voir Dire Hours)
- Total Court Reporter Fees = (Court Reporter Daily Fee) × (Voir Dire Duration)
- Total Expert Fees = Flat expert consultant fee entered (if applicable)
- Grand Total = Sum of all above cost categories
- Average Cost Per Juror = Grand Total ÷ Prospective Jurors Summoned (if summoned count > 0)
All calculations use USD as the default currency. Adjust input values to match your local jurisdiction's rate structures.
Practical Notes
- Juror compensation rates vary by jurisdiction: federal jurors are paid $50 per day as of 2024, while state rates range from $5 to $50 per day depending on the state.
- Voir dire duration can vary widely: minor civil cases may take 1-2 days, while complex criminal cases can take 1-2 weeks.
- This tool provides estimates only. Actual costs may include additional fees not accounted for here, such as venue rental, witness fees, or post-voir dire motions.
- Always consult a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction to get accurate, case-specific cost projections. This tool does not constitute legal advice.
- Regulatory fee structures change periodically. Check with your local court clerk for the most up-to-date juror compensation and filing fee rates.
Why This Tool Is Useful
Jury selection (voir dire) is often one of the most expensive pre-trial processes, but costs are frequently underestimated by individuals and small businesses.
This tool helps you budget for all major cost categories, avoid surprise expenses, and plan trial preparation timelines more accurately.
Legal professionals can use it to provide clients with transparent cost estimates during initial case consultations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tool account for jurors who are dismissed early?
No, this estimate assumes all summoned jurors serve for the full voir dire duration. For a more accurate estimate, reduce the Prospective Jurors Summoned field by the expected dismissal rate (typically 30-50% for standard cases).
Are attorney fees calculated for pre-voir dire preparation time?
No, this tool only accounts for time spent on active voir dire proceedings. Add an additional 10-20% to attorney fee estimates to cover pre-voir dire research and preparation work.
Can I use this tool for jury trials in countries outside the United States?
This tool uses USD and U.S. jurisdiction structures as a baseline. For international cases, adjust all fee inputs to match your local currency and court fee schedules, and consult a local legal professional.
Additional Guidance
- Save multiple estimates with different input values to compare cost scenarios for your case.
- Check your jurisdiction's rules on juror reimbursement for travel and meal expenses, which are not included in this estimate.
- For complex cases with multiple expert consultants, add each fee separately to the Expert Consultant Fee field as a total sum.
- Always verify court reporter and attorney rates directly with service providers before finalizing your budget.