Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 8.01-347 through 8.01-349, the chief judge may order that selection of the list of jurors necessary for the trial of all cases during any term of court for that year be made by the use of random selection techniques, either mechanically or electronically, from the list submitted pursuant to § 8.01-345.
§ 8.01-350.1.Selection of jurors by mechanical or electronic techniques for the term of court.
Chapter 11. Juries · Article 3. Selection of Jurors · Last amended 1978 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceLets the chief judge bypass the traditional paper-ballot box process by ordering the term’s jurors chosen instead through mechanical or electronic random selection techniques drawn directly from the master jury list prepared under § 8.01-345.
Full Text of § 8.01-350.1
Plain-English Summary
Paper ballots and a locked box are not the only way to run a jury drawing. This section lets the chief judge order that a term’s jurors be selected instead through random mechanical or electronic techniques, pulling straight from the master jury list assembled under § 8.01-345.
The provision expressly overrides the traditional ballot-box mechanics in §§ 8.01-347 through 8.01-349 when the chief judge chooses this route, giving courts a modern alternative without needing separate statutory authorization for each new selection technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Virginia require the ballot-box method for every court?
No. The chief judge may order that jurors instead be selected using random mechanical or electronic techniques.
What list does the mechanical or electronic selection draw from?
The list submitted pursuant to § 8.01-345.
Which sections does this electronic-selection procedure override?
Sections 8.01-347 through 8.01-349, which describe the traditional ballot-drawing procedures.
Who has authority to order this alternative selection method?
The chief judge.
Does this apply to selecting jurors for one case or an entire term?
It applies to selecting the list of jurors necessary for the trial of all cases during a term of court for that year.
Amendment History
1978, c. 400.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Code of Virginia, published by the
Code of Virginia, Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Systems. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: virginia electronic jury selectionmechanical jury selection virginia