Jury Duty Information

Chesapeake Circuit Court Covid-19 Jury Plan (PDF, 10MB)

NEW! Login to the online Juror Portal to complete required questionnaire (s), request a deferral or excusal, and to provide your cell phone and/or email address to opt-in for text and email notifications.

Juror Video: (not supported by all browsers)

What You Need to Know about Serving as a Juror:

Summons Explanation:

See Juror Summons sample »

Your group number is located under your name and address and above your term of service.

Groups 1-15 are on call for Mondays and Thursdays only.

Groups 1-15 should call 757-382-6623 after 5 p.m. on Sundays and Wednesdays to see if your group number is called in for the next day. If so, you report to the Circuit Court Building, 4th Floor, Jury Assembly Room at the time instructed in the recorded message. If not, you call the recording the day before your next assigned day.

Groups 16-30 are on call for Tuesdays and Fridays only.

Groups 16-30 should call 757-382-6623 after 5 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays to see if your group number is needed the next day. If so, you report to the Circuit Court Building, 4th Floor, Jury Assembly Room at the time instructed in the recorded message. If not, you call the recording the day before your next assigned day.

NOTE: WE NO LONGER HAVE AN ORIENTATION DAY WHEN ALL GROUPS REPORT. ONLY REPORT WHEN YOU CALL THE RECORDING AND YOUR GROUP IS NEEDED.

Conflicts/Excusals During Your Term of Service:

Conflicts should be rescheduled if at all possible. Documentation regarding excusal requests involving pre-planned conflicts (i.e. vacation itinerary, conference registration, etc.) must be received prior to the start of your jury term. Please use the online juror portal to request deferral/excusal or send email to juryoffice@cityofchesapeake.net. You may also send a fax to 757-382-3090 if you do not have internet access. Please be advised should you be assigned to serve on a multiple day trial you may need to report on a day other than your on-call day. If this should occur and you have a conflict, documentation must be provided to the court.

Juror Identification Badge:

See Juror Summons sample »

You must bring your badge and your driver’s license each day that you report. Your badge is required for you to be given credit for attending and receiving payment for your services.

Lunch Time and Breaks:

Breaks are provided approximately every hour. Lunch breaks generally begin between 12:30 and 1 p.m. for an hour. You may leave the complex during lunch however, you should return at the specified time in a timely manner and report to the Jury Assembly Room. If you wish to bring your lunch, a microwave, refrigerator, and a variety of vending machines are available to you. Please do not bring any glass or metal items.

Court Attire:

You should dress appropriately at all times. Appropriate attire is clothing that would be worn for an important business meeting. No blue-jeans, t-shirts, halter/tank tops, shorts or hats are allowed.

Pay and Certificate of Service:

Your pay as a juror has been set by the state legislature at $30.00 per day. A check is mailed approximately two (2) weeks after the end of your term for your services. Once the jury paperwork has been run, we cannot pay you if you are late; therefore, if able, please contact our office to advise us of your expected arrival time. Upon request, a certificate of service will be provided to you so that you may show your employer proof of your service as a juror. It is unlawful for your employer to threaten to discharge you or penalize you because of jury service (Employer Brochure).

Prohibited Items:

Cellular phones, laptops, cameras, or any other electronic recording devices, mace, scissors, knives, nail files/clippers, screwdrivers, letter openers, knitting needles, cigar cutters, and glass and metal items are PROHIBITED. All purses and carry-in items will be subject to an extensive search and are not permitted without showing your juror identification badge.

Miscellaneous:

The entire court building is a non-smoking facility.

Parking Permit:

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Your parking permit allows you to park in the reserved areas indicated. This permit MUST be displayed on your dashboard at all times when parking in the reserved area. Should you fail to display the permit and park in a reserved space, you are subject to being ticketed and towed. On occasion we have more jurors than we have parking spaces. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause you during your term as a juror.

Emergency Number:

Friends and relatives are not allowed in the jury assembly area. Should a family member need to contact you for an emergency when you report during your term of service, they may call 757-382-3085. This number is for emergencies only.

Info For Employers of Jury Members:

"To Employers of Jury Members Who are Serving Chesapeake Circuit Court"

Additional Questions or Concerns:

Call the Jury Office at 757-382-3061 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or email juryoffice@cityofchesapeake.net or send fax to 757-382-3090. Please be advised that messages are returned in order of priority. Email correspondence is preferred and responded to in a more timely manner.