Juror Information

Serving on a jury is a citizen’s civic duty.  Jurors play a pivotal role in the disposition of varying civil and criminal cases that come before the Cumberland County Circuit Court.  

Each year, prospective jurors are randomly selected from the locality’s list of registered voters and receive a Juror Questionnaire.  The questionnaires are reviewed by a committee of jury commissioners who have been appointed by the Circuit Court who determine which citizens qualify to serve jury duty.  Individuals who receive a questionnaire are required to complete and return the document, either by mail or online, to the Cumberland County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office within the time frame shown on the form.  Qualified jurors are added to the Court’s Master Juror List each year.

From the Master List, jurors are selected for each Term of Court.  There are five Terms of Court throughout the year: January, April, June, September, and November.  Prior to each Term, the Clerk of Court mails letters to the prospective jurors notifying them they were randomly selected.  The jurors are allowed an opportunity to ask the Court for an excusal, under certain circumstances.  Requests for excusal are only determined by the Judge of the Circuit Court and not by the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office.

Jurors who have been selected will then be served a Summons by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department.  Any information on their required appearance is updated by the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office and can be obtained by calling (804) 492-4442 and selecting Option 2.  Jurors should review The Answer Book for Jury Service.

For additional information on the structure and proceedings of a jury trial, please watch the Jury Orientation Video.

Link for The Answer Book for Jury Service:  Answer book for jury service (3.75 × 8.5 in) (3.75 × 8.25 in) (3.75 × 8.5 in) (3.75 × 8.5 in) (vacourts.gov)

Link for the Jury Orientation Video: vacourts.gov/resources/juror_orientation_video.mp4