I am in the military, on active duty. Do I have to serve jury duty?

The first step is to determine whether you are qualified to serve. If you have been a resident of Virginia for 12 months and a resident of Chesapeake for 6 months and you meet all other eligibility requirements, you may be selected by the jury commissioners to serve jury duty. Please note that United States Army, Air Force, or Navy personnel or their spouses are not considered residents of Virginia by reason of being stationed here. You must have declared Virginia as your state of residency in the "SC" block on your military Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) for at least one year to be eligible to serve jury duty.

Do not call the Jury Administrator and ask to be excused from jury service at this time. If you are selected for jury service, the Court will mail you a Summons For Jury Duty approximately 30 days prior to your month of service. At that time, you would contact the Jury Administrator if you are deployed out of the area or you, otherwise, are not available to serve. She will defer your service to a month when you will be available.

If you are asking to be excused from jury service, submit to the Jury Administrator a letter from your commanding officer that states the basis for the request: that such service would unreasonably interfere with the performance of the member's military duties; or would adversely affect the readiness of the unit, command, or activity to which the member is assigned.

Show All Answers

1. What is a Jury Questionnaire and why did I receive one?
2. Do I have to respond to the Questionnaire?
3. Is the information supplied on the questionnaire really confidential?
4. I received a Jury Questionnaire. Does this mean I have to report for jury duty?
5. I received a questionnaire last year and responded that I was either not qualified or I asked to be exempt from service. Why did I receive another questionnaire?
6. I received two questionnaires. What should I do?
7. The questionnaire was sent to a family member who is deceased. What should I do?
8. I am unable to complete the questionnaire because of ill health or other physical or mental limitation. What should I do?
9. The questionnaire is addressed to my son/daughter who is away at college. What should I do?
10. The party whose name is on the questionnaire doesn't live at this address. What should I do?
11. My questionnaire has been lost or damaged. How do I request a replacement?
12. I am in the military, on active duty. Do I have to serve jury duty?
13. I have already served jury duty. Can I be called to serve again?
14. Is DUI (driving under the influence) considered a felony?
15. How do I know if my civil rights have been restored?
16. Where do I send any additional questions or concerns?