Arlington County Jury Questionnaires Mailed out This Week to Falls Church City Residents

City of Falls Church and Arlington County residents will be receiving juror questionnaires from the Arlington County Circuit Court starting this week.

Random selected people will be part of the annual qualification process to select people for jury duty. Residents selected will serve jury duty terms starting Jan. 23, 2012 through Jan. 2013. Each juror will be receiving $30 a day for each day they serve on a jury.

“We are fortunate in Arlington and the City of Falls Church to have residents who are so willing to fulfill their commitment as a juror,” Clerk of the Circuit Court Paul Ferguson said in a release Monday. “Our system of justice could not operate without this valuable public service.  The Arlington Circuit Court greatly appreciates the service of everyone who reported last year, and we look forward to greeting new jurors in 2012.”

Here are some things you need to know about the juror questionnaires:

·       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.

·       Recipients are selected from registered voter rolls provided by the State Board of Elections.

·       Questionnaire responses determine a person’s eligibility to serve as a juror on civil and criminal trials in the Arlington Circuit Court.

·       Jury Commissioners appointed by the Court review the questionnaires to determine eligibility for service according to criteria established by the General Assembly.

For more information about jury duty, including a list of individuals who are exempt from serving, please visit the Jury Duty page on the County website. 

Steps to follow if you receive a Juror 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  to complete and submit the questionnaire online (if using this option, do not mail the form in).

·       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 – Thursday

·       The average length of a trial is 1 or 2 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