DALLAS -- Texas will no longer be among the stingiest states in paying its residents to serve on a jury.
Texas currently pays jurors $6 per day.
Starting next year, jurors will get a $34-a-day raise to $40 per day, beginning on their second day of jury service.
The new law means the first raise for Texas jurors in more than half-a century.
The $6 rate has been in place since 1954, when legislators bumped up the pay from $4 per day.
Supreme Court Justice Nathan Hecht, who's spent 17 years on the high court, says Texas has lagged behind in fair jury fees for a long, long time.
Critics say some people don't show up for jury duty because of the financial hardship placed on them for just $6 per day.
The National Center for State Court says Texas rates near the bottom nationwide in jury pay.
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