Walko to Hold Hearing on Juror Compensation

State Representative Don Walko of Pittsburgh will hold a hearing today regarding two pieces of legislation aimed at raising juror compensation. Currently, in Allegheny County, jurors earn $9 a day for up to 3 days, and $26 a day for each subsequent day. One bill will raise juror compensation to minimum wage for 8 hours (or about $60 per day). In case lawmakers reject the first proposal, Walko is offering a second bill that would increase compensation to $40 a day. Walko, who chairs the House Judiciary Subcommittee of Courts, says its important to maintain juror satisfaction because jury trials are "a pillar of democracy."