Are you one of those people who can hardly wait until it gets to the “Law” half of “Law and Order”? Although most of us would go to great lengths to avoid jury duty, becoming an online juror is not as “painful”  and can actually earn you a little extra cash right from your own living room.

What on earth is an e-juror you ask? Websites have sprung up designed as attorney assistance tools , allowing them to “pre-try” cases before they actually go to trial. This gives lawyers the chance to change their strategies if the outcome of the “e trial” is unfavorable. The idea of such a “mock trial” is not a new one but, the Internet has made it affordable for all attorneys to take advantage of, not just those who practice with a large firm.

Becoming an e-juror carries the same requirements as a “real juror” and requires that you take the duties seriously. The major companies have mock trials going on in all 50 states, although you may get more cases to sit on if you live in a major metropolitan area. Each case takes about an hour or so to complete, although that speeds up once you have become familiar with some of the legal terminology.

You will not be listening to an attorney presentation; you will be presented with a written one instead. For those with a prior interest in legal matters this can be quite fascinating. You are usually presented with the opportunity to read through a sample case before you sign up (which is free) to decide if this is the right opportunity for you. The cases don’t pay a lot, just like real jury duty. However, as a way to make a little extra money from home, becoming an e-juror can be an enjoyable alternative to survey sites .

Some of the busiest e juror sites are Ejury.com (who are based in Dallas but offer cases in all fifty states), Onlineverdict.com and Trialpractice.com, who also offer on-site jury opportunities.