Jury Duty in Virginia

Who can be excused from jury duty in Virginia, what happens if you skip it, juror pay, and whether your employer must let you serve.

Short answer: Virginia lets certain people be exempt from jury service if they ask, including anyone over 73; a parent or guardian personally responsible for a child 16 or younger who needs continuous care during court hours, or for a child under 18 with a serious health condition; Va. Code § 8.01-341.1

Who can be excused from jury duty	Virginia lets certain people be exempt from jury service if they ask, including anyone over 73; a parent or guardian personally responsible for a child 16 or younger who needs continuous care during court hours, or for a child under 18 with a serious health condition; a breastfeeding mother; a caretaker (including a family member or close friend) of a person with a serious health condition; a spouse of someone summoned to the same panel; a person whose one-person business would have to close; members of the armed forces or diplomatic service serving outside the U.S.; and a person whose disability substantially impairs the ability to serve. Some legislative and election workers are exempt during set periods. The exemption must be requested; it is not automatic. Source: Va. Code § 8.01-341.1
Penalty for skipping jury duty	A Virginia juror who was given proper notice and fails to appear in court without a sufficient excuse is fined $50 to $200. Source: Va. Code § 8.01-356
Jury duty pay and your job	A Virginia employee summoned for jury duty who gives the employer reasonable notice may not be fired, have any adverse personnel action taken, or be required to use sick leave or vacation time because of the absence. An employee who serves four or more hours (including travel) in a day cannot be required to start a shift beginning at or after 5:00 p.m. that day or before 3:00 a.m. the next day. An employer who violates this law is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. Jurors receive $50 per day of attendance for travel and other expenses. The statutes reviewed do not require employers to pay wages during jury service. Source: Va. Code §§ 18.2-465.1, 17.1-618

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FAQ

Who is exempt from jury duty in Virginia?

Virginia lets certain people be exempt from jury service if they ask, including anyone over 73; a parent or guardian personally responsible for a child 16 or younger who needs continuous care during court hours, or for a child under 18 with a serious health condition; a breastfeeding mother; a caretaker (including a family member or close friend) of a person with a serious health condition; a spouse of someone summoned to the same panel; a person whose one-person business would have to close; members of the armed forces or diplomatic service serving outside the U.S.; and a person whose disability substantially impairs the ability to serve. Some legislative and election workers are exempt during set periods. The exemption must be requested; it is not automatic.

What happens if you miss jury duty in Virginia?

A Virginia juror who was given proper notice and fails to appear in court without a sufficient excuse is fined $50 to $200.

Does your employer have to let you serve on a jury in Virginia?

A Virginia employee summoned for jury duty who gives the employer reasonable notice may not be fired, have any adverse personnel action taken, or be required to use sick leave or vacation time because of the absence. An employee who serves four or more hours (including travel) in a day cannot be required to start a shift beginning at or after 5:00 p.m. that day or before 3:00 a.m. the next day. An employer who violates this law is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. Jurors receive $50 per day of attendance for travel and other expenses.

Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.

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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.