Jurors in Los Angeles are paid a stipend of $15 per day and according the LAT, a much larger percentage of them are applying for hardship exemptions in the current economic climate. For a sole wage earner or someone who is self employed, the loss of a few days work can be frightening. Some judges are reporting hardship dismissal rates of 60%, and that’s counting only the diminishing percentage of jurors that respond to the summons at all. Jurors that are denied an exemption have become hostile, causing both sides in a recent case to waive jury trial after three days of jury selection produced a volatile and unpredictable panel.