(1) Parties to judicial proceedings in justice courts are required to contribute toward the expense of maintaining justice courts, or a particular action or proceeding therein, by the payment of a trial fee, except that a trial fee may not be required for a hearing or trial in the small claims department of a justice court.

(2) The trial fee in a justice court for a trial by jury is $125 for each full or partial day of trial, payable by the party demanding the jury trial at the time the demand is made.

(3) The trial fee in a justice court for a trial without a jury is $75 for each full or partial day of trial, payable by the plaintiff when the action or proceeding is set for trial.

(4) If a trial continues beyond the number of days originally paid for under subsection (2) or (3) of this section, the fee for subsequent days of trial must be paid in advance of each day the trial continues by the party responsible for the fee under subsection (2) or (3) of this section. [Amended by 1979 c.447 § 3; 1997 c.801 § 133; 2015 c.623 § 4]