Some New Mexico jurors have been left waiting for their pay because money in the payment fund ran out.
Bernalillo County spokesman Tim Korte told KOAT-TV that the fund that pays jurors is the same one that pays English interpreters, and the Bernalillo County has had to hire more interpreters than expected.
Korte says this is a statewide issue and all counties are affected. Jury duty pays $6.75 per hour in addition to mileage.
The payments resumed in July when the new fiscal year started. Pay for the interpreters must be prioritized because the state constitution requires the courts to provide interpreters for all defendants and jurors who speak limited or no English.
