P.R. Laws tit. 4A, § 4
The court shall authorize that breakfast, lunch, dinner and/or lodging be offered to the jurors in service, to the extent and in the cases where it may be proper. These expenses shall not exceed one (1) dollar for breakfast; three dollars twenty-five cents ($3.25) for lunch; three dollars twenty-five cents ($3.25) for dinner, and six (6) dollars for lodging for each member of the jury, except as provided hereinafter.
It is authorized, when deemed necessary by the court, to offer the members of the jury snacks or refreshments during working hours and when the jury is deliberating at night, provided these expenses do not exceed fifty (50) cents for each member of the jury, on each occasion.
The Administrative Judges are authorized to make contracts with restaurants for the service of meals and snacks or refreshments to the jury and to order the direct payment to the establishment. The amount to be paid shall not exceed the amounts authorized in these rules and regulations. The Administrative Judges are authorized, besides, to make contracts with hotels and boarding houses for the lodging of the jurors in cases where there is an order from the presiding judge in the sense that the jury should remain together during the night [to sequester the jury].
When any emergency situation makes it necessary to incur expenses in excess of the rates established here and it is impossible to obtain previous authorization for such expense from the Administrative Director of the Courts, or in default thereof, from the Administrative Judge, the judge presiding the trial shall authorize, in the exercise of his sound discretion and in order to prevent inconveniences which would interrupt the course of the judicial proceedings, the expense which such emergency situation may require after the issuance of a well-founded resolution which shall be served on the Administrative Judge and on the Administrative Director of the Courts.
History —Jan. 28, 1971; Feb. 12, 1974; Feb. 17, 1981.