Us Code § 5537 - Fees for jury and witness service

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 5537 — Fees for jury and witness service, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 5537. Fees for jury and witness service

(a) An employee as defined by section 2105 of this title (except an individual whose pay is disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate, the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, or the Chief of the Capitol Police) or an individual employed by the government of the District of Columbia may not receive fees for service—

(1) as a juror in a court of the United States or the District of Columbia; or

(2) as a witness on behalf of the United States or the District of Columbia.


(b) An official of a court of the United States or the District of Columbia may not receive witness fees for attendance before a court, commissioner, or magistrate judge where he is officiating.

(c) For the purpose of this section, "court of the United States" has the meaning given it by section 451 of title 28 and includes the District Court of Guam and the District Court of the Virgin Islands.

(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 484; Pub. L. 90–623, §1(12), Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1312; Pub. L. 91–563, §3(a), Dec. 19, 1970, 84 Stat. 1477; Pub. L. 101–650, title III, §321, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5117; Pub. L. 104–186, title II, §215(8), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1746; Pub. L. 104–201, div. C, title XXXV, §3548(a)(5), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2868; Pub. L. 111–145, §7(c)(2), Mar. 4, 2010, 124 Stat. 55.)

Historical and Revision Notes
DerivationU.S. CodeRevised Statutes and

Statutes at Large

5 U.S.C. 30o. June 29, 1940, ch. 446, §2, 54 Stat. 689.

The words "fees for jury service" are coextensive with and substituted for "compensation for such service".

Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.


Editorial Notes

Amendments

2010—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–145 substituted ", the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, or the Chief of the Capitol Police" for "or the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives" in introductory provisions.

1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–186 substituted "Chief Administrative Officer" for "Clerk" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–201 substituted "the District Court of Guam and the District Court of the Virgin Islands" for "the United States District Court for the District of the Canal Zone, the District Court of Guam, and the District Court of the Virgin Islands".

1970—Pub. L. 91–563 substituted "jury and witness service" for "jury service in courts of the United States" in section catchline, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted provisions prohibiting payment of fees for jury service in a court of the District of Columbia or for service as a witness on behalf of the United States or the District of Columbia and excepting employees whose pay is disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Representatives, and added subsecs. (b) and (c).

1968—Pub. L. 90–623 inserted ", who is entitled to leave under section 6322 of this title," after "individual employed by the government of the District of Columbia".


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Words "magistrate judge" substituted for "magistrate" in subsec. (b) pursuant to section 321 of Pub. L. 101–650, set out as a note under section 631 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 111–145 effective as though enacted as part of section 1018 of Pub. L. 108–7, see section 7(d) of Pub. L. 111–145, set out as a note under section 2107 of this title.

Effective Date of 1968 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 90–623 intended to restate without substantive change the law in effect on Oct. 22, 1968, see section 6 of Pub. L. 90–623, set out as a note under section 5334 of this title.

About This Section

5 U.S.C. § 5537 is part of Title 5 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 5 U.S.C. § 5537. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 5537

What does United States Code § 5537 cover?

Section 5537 ("Fees for jury and witness service") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 5537?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 5537" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 5537 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.