While efforts are made to reduce delay and avoid waiting time, you may have to wait awhile at the courthouse before finding out whether you have been chosen to actually sit on a jury. So bring a book or other quiet activity; solve a crossword puzzle; write a letter; sketch a picture; or get to know your fellow jurors. Remember that as a juror you are a vital part of the court system.

Sometimes, on a day that you appear for jury service, you will be requested to serve on a jury. Service on a jury is one of the most important responsibilities that you will exercise as a citizen of this Commonwealth. It is your responsibility to listen to the evidence presented at a trial, decide the facts, apply the facts to the law as instructed by the judge, and render a fair and impartial verdict.

As a juror, you will perform a very important duty that each citizen owes to our Commonwealth. Your participation is critical because the right to a trail by a jury is a right guaranteed by the Federal and State constitutions. Your participation as a juror is necessary to ensure that every citizen in this Commonwealth will have access to this fundamental right.

You do not need any special skills, knowledge, or education to be a juror. However, you must be fair, impartial, willing to listen and willing to keep an open mind. Remember, our democracy will not work and our system of justice cannot function, unless citizens like you are willing to serve as jurors.

Answer:   Potential jurors are selected randomly using lists designated by the court such as voter registration and the driver’s license list.

Answer:   A jury is a group if individuals randomly selected from the community, sworn in by the court, and asked to collectively make decisions in a court proceeding. Jurors are an important part of the legal system.

Answer:   If this disruption causes a genuine hardship to you and not just inconvenience for you, it may be possible for you to defer your service to another time.

Answer:   You will be reimbursed $30 per day for attendance for each day you must report to the courthouse.

Answer:   Jurors serve one term of the court. Typically, in Norfolk, a court term is approximately one month. Your summons will indicate the length and exact date of your service.  Additionally, a trial may extend for several days.  Please be aware that you may be called to serve on a multi-day jury.

Answer:   On days that you report for jury service, you can expect to be at the court during its normal hours. If not selected for a jury, you may be able to leave early. On occasion, a trial will continue beyond the court’s normal working hours. If this happens, you may need to arrange your schedule to allow you to stay longer.

Answer:   We are working on implementing several changes to the Jury System that will allow text message notification, on-line juror questionaire response, etc.  We hope to have these pieces up and running by the end of this year.