CA AB1452

Authorizes the Superior Court of San Francisco to conduct a pilot program through December 31, 2023, paying eligible low-income jurors $100 per day for criminal trial service instead of the standard $15 per day.

Eligible jurors must have household income below 80 percent of the San Francisco Bay Area median income and either have no employer compensation for jury duty, lack compensation for the trial duration, be self-employed, or be unemployed.

Requires the pilot program court to collect self-reported juror data on race, ethnicity, and income, and mandates a third-party entity prepare an analysis to determine if the increased fee creates a more economically and racially diverse jury pool.

Funding for the $100 fee, data collection efforts, and third-party analysis shall come entirely from The Financial Justice Project of the City and County of San Francisco at no cost to the court.

The pilot program automatically repeals on January 1, 2025, and may be terminated earlier if the court determines the increased reimbursement causes prejudice to litigant rights or the interests of justice.