24105728D
HOUSE BILL NO. 1521
Offered January 19, 2024
A BILL to amend and reenact §§17.1-619 and 17.1-623 of the Code of Virginia, relating to civil cases; payment of jurors.
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Patron-- Higgins
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Committee Referral Pending
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§17.1-619 and 17.1-623 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§17.1-619. How jurors paid.

A. The compensation and allowances of persons attending the court as jurors in all felony cases shall be paid by the Commonwealth. Jurors in misdemeanor cases shall be paid by the Commonwealth unless the charge is written on a local warrant or summons, in which case the jurors shall be paid by the political subdivision in which the summons is issued. Jurors in all civil cases shall be paid by the political subdivision in which the summons is issued one or both of the parties in such case at the discretion of the presiding judge. Payment in all cases shall be by negotiable check, warrant, cash, credit to a prepaid debit card or card account from which the juror is able to withdraw or transfer funds, or electronic transfer upon the Commonwealth, or the political subdivision, or in civil cases, by one or both of the parties in such case at the discretion of the presiding judge, as the case may be. If payment is made by credit to a prepaid debit card or card account from which the juror is able to withdraw or transfer funds, such card or card account shall permit the juror to withdraw or transfer funds without incurring any fee for such withdrawal or transfer.

When, during the same day any juror is entitled to compensation from both the Commonwealth and from the political subdivision in which he has served, the court shall divide the pay for such day between the Commonwealth and the political subdivision. It shall be the duty of the sheriff at the term of the court during which an allowance is made or has been made under this section, to furnish the clerk of the court with a statement showing the number and names of the jurors in attendance upon the court.

B. A county or city may provide by local ordinance that a juror may direct in writing that compensation due him be paid to the court service unit or to any other agency, authority, or organization which that is ancillary to and provides services to the courts of the county or city.

§17.1-623. Payment of allowances.

The treasurer of such political subdivision shall upon demand pay to such juror the amount allowed him by negotiable check, cash, or electronic transfer, which shall be repaid to such treasurer out of the public treasury or out of the political subdivision levy, or in civil cases, by one or both of the parties in such case at the discretion of the presiding judge, as the case may be, upon the production of satisfactory proof that the same has been actually paid by him. But such treasurer shall not be repaid any allowance made against the Commonwealth unless it appear appears on the list directed to be sent to the Supreme Court. No such allowance shall be paid unless presented within two years from the time of rendering the service.