Virginia law specifies the number and qualifications of grand jurors, requiring them to be adult citizens with residency in the jurisdiction. If there are not enough jurors, the court can supplement the panel from bystanders or a provided list. These provisions ensure a fair and qualified grand jury process.
A grand juror must be a citizen of Virginia, at least 18 years old, a resident of Virginia for one year, and of the county or city where the court is held for six months, among other qualifications.
A Virginia grand jury consists of between five and seven persons, depending on the case and jurisdiction.
If there are insufficient grand jurors, the court can order the sheriff or sergeant to summon additional jurors from bystanders or a list provided by the judge.
Generally, grand jurors for county courts must be residents of the county, not the city, unless the county court has jurisdiction over the city.