The net may well be littered with ideas for making money and different side hustles, but in my view, few money-making ideas are as fun or stimulating as being a mock juror.
You get all the feels of being part of a jury, judging a case, without the stress of having actually to put anyone in jail. And you get paid for the privilege to boot.
So, in this article, we’re going to kick off with the basics, explaining what a paid mock jury is and the purpose behind it. Then we’ll cover what’s involved, how much money you can make, and how you go about doing it, including a summary of the best websites to check out so that you can apply.
When we wrap up at the end of the article, you may be able to decide whether it’s something you want to do, and if so, where to start making your applications or inquiries.
And without further ado, let’s get straight to it!
What Is A Mock Jury? What Is Its Purpose?
A mock jury is basically a special form of research prior to trial…
It’s a procedure often run by lawyers. It is a discussion group whereby the lawyers present evidence and arguments for or against the case to members of the public.
And yes, this does sound very much like a trial, but I can assure you that there are no legal ramifications to worry about. It’s never a part of any actual legal system.
The purpose of the mock trial is for the lawyers to judge the potential reactions to future trials in preparation for the actual trial.
That way, they can ascertain whether they should change tack or do anything differently.
In addition, to use in preparation for a real case, it is also used in educational settings, for would-be lawyers to develop their public speaking, critical thinking, and of course, the art of forming a good, persuasive argument.
Is Paid Mock Jury Work Legit?
We are pleased to report that mock jury work is a good, legitimate way to make some extra money.
Several organizations offer this opportunity, and some are more well-known than others.
If you’ve spotted a website you’d like to try for paid mock jury work, we recommend Googling reviews, which will confirm whether the website is or is not legitimate or a scam.
How Much Money Can You Make As A Paid Mock Juror?
Truth be told, the pay you get for participating in a mock trial can vary depending on who is organizing it.
Some will pay by the case, and some will pay by the hour. So, if you go for a lengthier case, there’s the potential to earn more money for your review of the case and your reactions and verdict.
In practice, you may earn as little as $5, or as much as a whopping $400. However, the more typical payments are usually between $20 and $60.
As for whether it’s worth it, we would argue that it is, even if you do only end up with an additional $5, because it’s so stimulating and who doesn’t like feeling like their opinions are valued?
What’s Involved In Being A Paid Mock Juror?
Previously many mock jury research discussion groups were conducted in person, but now that technology has improved so much in recent years, it is becoming very common to carry out these mock trials online so that you can be a paid mock juror in the comfort of your own home.
Once you’ve spotted an opportunity and applied, all you have to do is accept the email, view all the documentation relating to the case presented by the lawyers, and at the end either submit your verdict or alternatively simply answer some questions on the case.
How Do I Get Started As A Mock Juror?
In order to become a paid mock juror, you usually have to meet certain requirements.
For example, you have to be at least 18 years old, be a US citizen, be able to read and write and have a record free of felonies, indictments, or misdemeanors.
If you meet these criteria, you can start looking at the relevant websites, where it will be spelled out what would be expected of you in each opportunity available to you. (We’ll be covering websites shortly.)
To prepare yourself for the task ahead, it may help to familiarize yourself with the trial process.
You may also wish to consider whether you might find the content of the trial disturbing. Or whether you may find it mentally exhausting, since you will have to evaluate the arguments put forward, and may even be asked to reconsider the case more than once.
Best Websites For Paid Mock Jury Work
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the best websites for finding paid mock jury work:
Online Verdict
As the name suggests, this website allows you to do paid online surveys as a part of a legal focus group. It has attracted over 600,000 paid mock jurors.
eJury
eJury allows mock jurors to participate in a focus group online rather than in person. And because it’s conducted online, the lawyers can gather a larger number of participants, which should in theory provide a more accurate representation of the public.
Jury Test
Being a paid mock juror for Jury Test means that you can make decisions on interesting cases and promote efficiency in the court system.
Resolution Research
Resolution Research is a company with over 30 years of experience, so you know you will be in good hands with these. They can carry out mock trials either in the lawyer’s own facilities, hosted anywhere in the Nation, or via video or transcripts, observed in real-time, or via a one-way mirror.
Wrap Up
So to sum up, paid work as a mock juror is certainly worth considering. It’s certainly very stimulating, and if you look carefully, you may even find some high-paying opportunities.
