Fulshear residents called to serve on municipal court juries will receive payment – albeit a small one – for their service.
Fulshear City Council approved Court Clerk Elaine Brown’s recommendation to pay jurors a $6 stipend, similar to that paid to jurors in area district courts.
Brown said while jury trials in municipal court are relatively rare, they do occur and take up residents’ time.
She also noted juror fees are not required by the state, but called the payments “the right thing to do.”
“When you have citizens come in (for jury service) at 5:30 in the evening, it’s the least we can do,” Brown told the council.
She noted the city had one jury trial last month over an expired inspection sticker charge. Another jury trial is expected next month, with “two more possible.”
Only residents who actually serve on the jury will receive the stipend. They will have the option of donating the money to the Fulshear Community Fund or the Fort Bend CORPS.
Following discussion of the proposal, city council voted 4-1 to approve Brown’s recommendation. Alderman Jeff Roberts cast the dissenting vote.
