The judge and both counsels get paid to be there. The bailiff and the court reporter get paid. Why don’t the jurors get paid? I agree some may want to prolong the trial, milking the per diem but that’s no worse than the number who will want to speed the trial so they can get back to their jobs.
I was paid each time. Five dollars a day, pre-tax.
Jurors get paid. I am surprised how many people do not know that. And in most cases, employers pay the difference if you don’t get paid what you would have made working (full time and in some cases even regular part time gets that).
In addition if you stay over night you get a per diem and you can eat pretty well and stay in a nice hotel room.
If you have to travel you get travel expenses.
Where the idea comes from that you serve for free is beyond me.