The expense is a 24-hour operation
Sequestration turns a courtroom safeguard into a temporary living arrangement. Jurors need somewhere to sleep, eat, and travel between lodging and court, while staff must keep the group together and limit unsupervised contact with outside information. That can mean coordinating secure transportation, monitoring shared spaces, and arranging meals that do not leave jurors to encounter news or discuss the case with outsiders.
The cost is not just a hotel invoice. It is the labor and logistics required to maintain those boundaries every day, including evenings and weekends. Even ordinary interruptions—such as a delayed court session or a change in the schedule—can require adjustments to lodging, transport, and supervision.
An open-ended trial makes budgeting harder
A trial’s length is difficult to predict in advance. Witnesses may take longer than expected, legal disputes can pause proceedings, and deliberations may continue after the evidence is finished. Because the jury must remain together until the court releases it, the arrangement can extend beyond the schedule originally anticipated.
The public usually bears the direct costs through the court system, though the precise arrangements and budget vary by jurisdiction. Jurors may also face personal disruption: they are removed from normal routines and may have limited ability to work or manage responsibilities at home. Sequestration is therefore a costly way to reduce jurors’ exposure to outside coverage—not a one-time security expense, but a commitment that keeps running until the court can safely end it.
