Jury Duty Questionnaires to be Mailed Soon

Arlington County begins it juror qualification process this September.

Selected registered voters will receive questionnaires used to qualify residents for jury duty during court year 2013, which begins Jan. 21, 2013, and ends in January 2014.

The questionnaires have to be returned within 10 days after receiving them, according to a notice from Arlington’s Circuit Court.

By state law, questionnaires are mailed out annually to a random selection of approximately 10,000 residents of Arlington County and the city of Falls Church. For more information about jury duty, including a list of individuals who are exempt from serving, visit the jury duty page on the county website.

Arlington officials offer these tips to those who receive a questionnaire: 

• Read the entire questionnaire carefully, front and back, for detailed instructions.
• Using your Candidate ID number printed on the questionnaire, visit the secure juror website at https://egov.arlingtonva.us/jury to complete and submit the questionnaire online (if using this option, do not mail in the form).
• You may also mail the completed form as instructed in the questionnaire.
• The questionnaire is not a summons to appear, so please do not call the Clerk’s Office asking for an excuse from jury duty.  Excuses or postponements to serve at another time during the year can be considered if you are actually summoned to serve as a juror.
• You are required to complete and return the questionnaire within 10 days of receipt.
• Failure to respond to the questionnaire may result in your being summoned to court to complete the form in person.

Quick facts about jury service

• Normal term of service is one week, Monday through Thursday
• Average trial length is one or two days
• A trial day may last up to 5 p.m. or later as determined by the court
• Jurors receive $30 each day they report for reimbursement of expenses