Petit (Trial) Jury FAQ

Yes. The summons to jury service is an official court summons.  If you do not report, you could be held in contempt of court for failure to appear.

Citizens summoned for petit jury service are summoned to report for a jury case beginning on a specific date.  While many of our jury cases are estimated to complete in a single day, we do occasionally have jury cases that are estimated to take more than 1 day to complete.  Prior to reporting, jurors must call the jury information line the evening before their assigned day to learn whether they need to appear.  If a juror does not need to appear it is possible that they may be resummoned during that two-month term of court.  

Once a juror has reported for service, he/she is not eligible under state law to serve as a petit (trial) juror again for a period of three calendar years.  This applies only to state circuit courts; citizens may still be eligible for jury service in a federal court.

The morning that you arrive for jury duty you will attend an orientation that will explain your role as juror and the trial process.  In addition, a staff member will take attendance, provide additional information and answer any questions you might have.

Yes.  It is necessary to summon more jurors than will actually be required to sit on the jury.  Among other reasons, jurors may have a conflict with the case because they know or are related to an attorney, a party, witness, or alleged victim, and will have to be excused.  However, your time is not wasted – this is a necessary process.  If this happens, you are still entitled to payment in the amount of $30.

In order to be considered to be excused from serving jury duty for a medical condition, you will need to provide a statement from your physician documenting that your condition is permanent and not likely to improve, and stating that in your physician’s opinion you are not physically, mentally or emotionally able to serve jury duty.  You will need to complete the Jury Questionnaire that came with the summons.  The doctor’s statement may be returned to the Clerk’s Office with the completed Jury Questionnaire in the self-addressed envelope provided, or it can be mailed separately to the Jury Coordinator at the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office at P.O. Box 550, Palmyra, VA  22963, or it may be faxed to the Clerk’s Office to the attention of the Jury Coordinator at 434-591-1971.  If the statement from your physician is being submitted separately, please note this on the Jury Questionnaire.  You are NOT EXCUSED until you have spoken directly with the Jury Coordinator and have verbal confirmation of the excusal.  It is your responsibility to follow up with this office and verify receipt of the required information and confirmation of excusal.  If you do not appear for jury service, you could be held in contempt of court for failure to appear.

Former residents of Fluvanna County are not required to serve jury duty once they have moved their legal residence out of the county.  You will need to complete the Jury Questionnaire and return it by the date requested.  Please note your new address on the form and note that you are no longer a resident of Fluvanna County.

Virginia Code § 8.01-341 provides a list of those who are exempt from serving jury duty.  Virginia Code § 8.01-341.1 provides a list of persons who may serve on juries in civil and criminal cases but who shall be exempt from jury service upon their request.  If you believe you qualify as exempt from jury service under either of these statutes, you will need to complete the Jury Questionnaire and return it by the date requested.  Please include a detailed description of your situation and the exemption you believe applies to your situation.  Please follow up with the Jury Coordinator at 434-591-1970 to ensure we have received your request. 

Yes.  You need to follow up with the Jury Coordinator at 434-591-1970 to confirm that the information has been received and provide any additional information requested.