Jury duty is one of those onerous responsibilities a US citizen has to do at some point in their lives. However, if you’re one of those who actually like being part of the US legal system, being an online mock juror might interest you.
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Instead of watching legal shows and spouting your theories and thoughts to the television, you can participate in mock trials with real lawyers and get paid for your thoughts and your time.
In this article, you’ll learn what mock trials are, what an online mock juror does, and where to sign up.
What Are Mock Trials?
Mock trials present made-up cases to mock juries.
These are either done by lawyers preparing for an actual case or by would-be lawyers preparing for court experience.
Mock trials are hosted by companies resembling survey panels that hire mock jurors. The jurors provide feedback to the company and the companies give feedback to the lawyers for them to know how a real jury would react to their case strategy.
This allows both practicing lawyers and would-be lawyers to make better decisions about trying cases and settling legal disputes.
What Does an Online Mock Juror Do?
Mock jurors are hired by companies or lawyers to go through all the court processes, from selection to swearing-in, listening to arguments, looking at the evidence, discussing, and coming up with a verdict.
As I’ve mentioned, mock trials were done in actual physical venues, such as law schools or law firms, and sometimes even in a real courtroom.
Nowadays, there are paid online juror jobs you can apply for so you can be a mock juror from home.
Once you’ve been picked as an online juror, case documents of the mock trial would be sent to you. You’ll then be able to listen or read arguments from both sides, watch, listen, and read exhibits, decide on the case, answer a questionnaire, and get paid.
Requirements may vary per site, but here are some of the general requirements that potential online jurors must meet so your application can be considered.
- Must 18 years of age or older
- Must be a US citizen
- Must be a registered voter
- Must be literate (i.e., able to read and write)
- Must not be a lawyer, legal assistant, paralegal, or otherwise employed in a law firm
- Must have no indictment, felony, or misdemeanor charge
- Must be of good moral character and sound mind
Aside from the must-haves to be a mock juror, there are also must-not-haves that companies and attorneys who use these services prefer.
- Must not be an actively practicing attorney, paralegal, or legal assistant
- Must not be currently employed by or associated with a law firm or an attorney
- Must not be related to a practicing attorney by marriage or by blood
Where to Find Paid Online Mock Juror Jobs
1. eJury
You can see from its website that eJury is one of the oldest of its kind. It pays jurors $5 to $10 per case, depending on the length of each case. The average length is around 6 pages, which can be finished in as little as 30 minutes. Payment is made via PayPal.
2. Online Verdict
The process of jury selection is a little different with Online Verdict. Here, jurors are selected depending on the county or federal district they are in. So if the attorneys in your area don’t upload cases on the database, you won’t have a chance to sit on the virtual jury.
Sometimes, Online Verdict hosts national surveys for everyone registered. Anyone qualified for a particular case will be notified via e-mail.
You can earn anywhere from $20 to $60 per case, depending on the length and difficulty level. Payment is sent once a month via check mailed to your address.
3. JuryTest.net
Jury Test caters to lawyer clients, who use the reviews and insight of online jurors to develop their cases. It was developed by an attorney who teaches at Harvard Medical School.
The premise of JuryTest is similar to other sites on this list. You’ll be e-mailed with all details (including payment info), and you have the option to accept or decline the case. Payments range from $5 to $50 per case, depending on the complexity of the cases. They are released via check or PayPal.
4. Virtual Jury
Dubbed as a legal focus group, virtual jurors are notified via email if a case is available in their respective areas. The registration form on Virtual Jury is in-depth, requiring would-be jurors to indicate job status, political affiliation, and age, among others. Pay varies from case to case. You’ll receive a check within two weeks, after the end of the focus group.
5. Mock Jury Trials Online
This site works similar to the other sites on this list, facilitating online mock trials, curating content, and recruiting mock jurors.
To apply as a mock juror, contact them via their Contact Us page and specify that you’re a mock juror.
6. Sign Up Direct
This company prides itself on helping resolve legal cases and alleviate social problems. You can earn up to $100 for a day’s work.
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7. Verdict Services
Verdict Services offer authentic mock trials and focus groups to help attorneys improve their case presentation skills. They pay their participants anywhere between $100 to $150, depending on the time spent on the trial session.
To apply as an online mock juror, sign up on their Contact page.
8. Jury Solutions
Jury Solutions offer a full suite of services related to jury selection and jury assessment, including online mock trials as well as in-person focus groups.
Register here and you’ll be contacted if qualified.
They typically require 8 hours of work from mock jurors, and the pay is usually approximately $20 per hour.
9. Jury Sign Up
You can sign up as a juror for legal focus groups, mock trials, and sometimes even for listening and sharing your thoughts and opinions on real legal cases.
The duration of the sessions and payment varies by project, but sessions last around 6 to 8 hours and you will typically be paid at least $100 for your time.
10. First Court
First Court conducts full trials all over the country, hiring locals of the county they’re working in to become mock jurors.
They also host self-paced online trials lasting around 1 to 3 hours where online mock jurors evaluate the facts of a lawsuit from home and give feedback on video. They get paid around $50 to $125.
Click Sign Up on the link to apply to participate in their trials as a juror.
Apply to Be an Online Mock Juror Today!
Being a mock juror can be fulfilling work, plus it pays you for analyzing exhibits and evidence. If you’re fascinated with the legal system, this is one way of earning cash doing what you like.
Working as an online mock juror is a side hustle at best because signing up doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be picked. Check out our list of side hustles if you’re looking to add a few more to earn more cash.
Or, if you’re interested in more steady online work, we also have a long list of work from home jobs.
Have you participated as an online mock juror before? Or a juror for an actual case on trial? Share your experiences with us in the comments below!
