Paid Mock Jury Studies in 2026: How to Get Selected &...

If you've searched for mock jury jobs, here's the short version: law firms and jury consulting companies pay everyday people $100 to $500 to sit through a simulated trial, deliberate like a real juror, and give their honest verdict and reasoning. No legal background required — in fact, attorneys specifically want people who have never served on a real jury.

This guide covers exactly what a mock jury study involves, how much they pay, who runs them, and how to get selected for one near you (or entirely online).

What Is a Paid Mock Jury Study?

Before a real trial, attorneys often need to know how an actual jury might react to their case. So they hire jury consulting firms to run a mock trial: a condensed, simulated version of the case presented to a panel of paid participants who act exactly like a real jury would.

You watch or read a presentation of both sides of a case (evidence, witness testimony, arguments), then discuss it with a small group and reach a verdict — just like a real jury would deliberate. Researchers use your reactions, questions, and verdict to help the legal team understand how to present their case, or to gauge how much a case might be worth to settle.

Unlike a real jury, there's no legal obligation, no multi-week commitment, and you're paid for your time regardless of the outcome.

How Much Do Mock Jury Studies Pay?

Study Type	Duration	Pay Range	Format
Online Mock Jury Survey	30–60 min	$20 – $75	Remote, one-time
In-Person Mock Trial	3–5 hours	$100 – $250	Local facility
Multi-Day Mock Trial	1–2 days	$300 – $600	Local facility
Focus Group on Case Themes	1–2 hours	$75 – $150	Remote or in-person

Pay depends heavily on the case's stakes — high-value civil litigation (personal injury, corporate disputes, class actions) tends to pay more than smaller cases, because law firms budget more for jury research when more money is on the line.

Pro Tip: In-person mock trials almost always pay more than remote surveys because they require a longer, uninterrupted time commitment and travel to a research facility.

Who Runs Paid Mock Jury Studies?

A handful of established jury consulting and litigation research firms recruit paid mock jurors across the country:

Resolution Research — One of the most active recruiters for mock jury and trial consulting studies, running both in-person and online panels in major metro areas.
IMS Legal Strategies — A national litigation consulting firm that regularly recruits mock jurors for high-profile civil cases.
Courtroom Sciences, Inc. (CSI) — Runs mock trials and focus groups for corporate and personal injury litigation.
Local Law Firms & Consulting Groups — Many regional law firms run their own smaller mock trials without going through a national firm, often recruiting via Craigslist, local research panels, or word of mouth.
StudyGrab.com — We aggregate active mock jury and legal research listings from these sources and more, updated daily. Browse current studies → and search "jury" or "mock trial" to filter for legal research opportunities.

Who Qualifies for a Mock Jury Study?

Requirements are intentionally broad, because researchers want a panel that resembles a real community jury pool:

U.S. citizen, generally 18 or older
Not a lawyer, paralegal, law student, or someone who works in the legal field
Not currently serving on an actual jury or with an active case related to the topic being tested
Able to sit through the full session and stay attentive (some studies exclude people who have served as a juror on a real case within the past 1–2 years, so the pool stays "fresh")
Willing to share your honest opinions — researchers specifically avoid people who say what they think the attorney wants to hear during screening

Some studies also target specific demographics (age range, occupation, region) to match the jury pool of the actual trial's jurisdiction — so eligibility varies study to study.

What Actually Happens During a Mock Jury Session

Sign up and screen — Complete a short screener confirming you're eligible and don't have a conflict of interest with the case.
Watch or read the case presentation — This is a condensed version of both sides' arguments, evidence, and witness statements, usually delivered by actors, attorneys, or as a recorded video.
Complete individual questionnaires — Before group deliberation, you'll usually answer questions privately about your initial impressions, to capture your unbiased first reaction.
Group deliberation — You'll join a small group (6–12 people) and deliberate just like a real jury, discussing the evidence and reaching a verdict.
Debrief and final survey — Researchers ask what swayed your opinion, which arguments were most and least convincing, and how confident you were in the outcome.
Get paid — Payment is typically issued the same day (cash or check for in-person studies) or within 1–2 weeks for online panels.

Are Paid Mock Jury Studies Legitimate?

Yes. Jury consulting is a well-established, decades-old part of litigation strategy — legitimate law firms budget real money for this because it materially affects how they prepare for trial. A few signs you're dealing with a legitimate recruiter:

They never ask you to pay anything to participate
They clearly disclose it's a simulation, not an actual legal proceeding, and that your "verdict" has no real legal effect
Payment terms are explained upfront before you commit your time
The case details presented are for research purposes — you won't be asked to keep anything confidential in a way that feels unusual for a research study

If a "mock jury" opportunity asks for payment, personal financial information, or feels more like a scam survey than a research session, walk away.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do mock jury jobs pay?

Online mock jury surveys typically pay $20–$75 for 30–60 minutes. In-person mock trials pay $100–$250 for a half-day session, and multi-day mock trials can pay $300–$600 total.

Do I need any legal knowledge to be a mock juror?

No — in fact, having legal experience usually disqualifies you. Researchers want reactions from ordinary people who represent a realistic jury pool, not legal professionals.

Are mock jury studies available online, or only in-person?

Both. Many jury consulting firms run online mock trial surveys where you review case materials and answer questions remotely. In-person mock trials pay more but require travel to a research facility, usually in a major city.

How do I find mock jury studies near me?

Browse current mock jury and legal research listings on StudyGrab, which aggregates opportunities from major jury consulting firms and local recruiters, updated daily.

Can I be a mock juror more than once?

Usually yes, but not for the same case or firm too frequently — most consulting firms space out how often the same participant can join a panel to keep results representative and unbiased.

Is my mock jury verdict legally binding?

No. A mock jury exercise is purely for research purposes. Your deliberation and verdict help attorneys prepare their case — it has no legal effect on any real trial.

Start Looking for Mock Jury Opportunities

Paid mock jury studies are one of the more interesting ways to earn extra money — you get a front-row seat to how the legal system actually prepares for trial, and you're compensated well for a few hours of your time.

Ready to find one near you? Browse StudyGrab's daily-updated directory of paid legal research and mock jury studies:

Browse mock jury studies near me →

Prefer something with more sessions available year-round? Check out our guides to paid focus groups near me and paid sleep studies near me.

Last updated: July 28, 2026. StudyGrab updates this guide regularly to reflect current mock jury opportunities and pay ranges.

Paid Mock Jury Studies in 2026: How to Get Selected & Earn $100–$500