The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm | April 29, 2026 | Personal Injury
Yes, it is possible to get out of jury duty in Virginia, but it might not be as easy as you think. The right to a trial by jury is something no one should ever take for granted in either civil or criminal cases. Serving on a jury is an important civic duty that is essential to the justice system operating as intended.
If you have received a jury summons in the mail and are wondering whether you have to serve, keep reading below to learn everything you need to know.
How Are Jury Candidates Selected in Virginia?
A common misconception is that you can only be called for jury duty after you register to vote. Juries should consist of a representative cross-section of the community, and jury pools include more than just registered voters.
Jury pools are selected at random by court-appointed jury commissioners, and these commissioners draw names from:
- Registered voters
- DMV records
- Local directories
If you do not meet these criteria, you may be disqualified from serving after the court reviews your questionnaire.
Virginia Jury Member Eligibility
Virginia law sets the eligibility criteria for jury members in the state, and failure to meet the eligibility requirements is one way to get out of jury duty.
To serve on a jury in Virginia, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a resident of Virginia for at least one year
- Be a resident of the city or county that summoned you for at least 6 months
- Be able to speak, understand, read, and write English
If you do not meet these criteria, you will be disqualified from jury service, and this means that you will never receive an official summons in most cases.
You will also be disqualified from service if you:
- Are declared incompetent
- Have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from performing jury service
- Have been convicted of treason or a felony
After completing the questionnaire, you will receive a summons to appear for jury duty if you are eligible. Once the summons has been issued, you must appear for jury duty, or you can face some serious legal consequences.
Common Reasons for Getting Out of Jury Duty
There are several exemptions that can get you out of jury duty, although these items do not automatically disqualify you from serving. This means that you can serve on the jury if you would like, but these items will get you out of jury duty if you request not to serve.
The following may qualify as exemptions from jury service:
- A mother who is breastfeeding
- A parent who must continually care for a child under 16
- Any person over 73 years of age
- A person whose spouse has been summoned to the same jury panel
- A business owner who is the sole operator of the business
In most cases, you can also choose to defer your service. For instance, suppose you have a vacation planned during the dates of your required service. You should contact the court as soon as possible and ask for a deferral to a later date. The court will typically grant you one deferral with no questions asked.
Do Jurors in Virginia Get Paid?
Yes, jurors in Virginia are typically paid $50 per day. However, any expenses, such as meals and travel, must come out of that amount. You will not receive additional reimbursement for meals, travel, or other expenses related to your service.
This may not seem like much pay, especially since jurors help decide the outcome of important cases, such as car accident claims, wrongful death accidents, and even criminal cases. Jurors not only decide who wins these cases, but they also play an important role in civil cases by deciding the amount of pain and suffering damages and other values in the case.
What Happens If I Don’t Show Up for Jury Duty?
Deciding to simply not show up for jury duty is not a good choice. You could face fines and even jail time for refusing to show up for jury duty. Fines may range from $50 to $200, and the court may require you to appear and explain your absence.
Most courts are willing to work with you on dates and other arrangements, so always contact the court to discuss your jury duty service instead of deciding to simply not show up.
Contact the Fairfax Personal Injury Attorneys at The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm for Help Today
Jury duty plays an important role in Virginia’s civil and criminal justice systems. Whether a case involves a car accident, wrongful death claim, or another serious legal matter, jurors help decide important issues that affect real people.
For more information, please contact our experienced personal injury attorneys at The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm to schedule a free consultation today. We have two convenient locations in Manassas, VA and Fairfax, VA.
The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm Manassas
9208 Lee Ave, First Floor, Manassas, VA, 20110
(571) 229-1800
Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Manassas
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 38.7523907,-77.5566859
The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm Fairfax
4000 Legato Rd #1100, Fairfax, VA, 22033
(571) 200-5424
Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Fairfax
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 38.8657713,-77.3652474
