In addition to the manner of service on natural persons prescribed in § 8.01-296, a summons for a witness or for a juror may be served:
§ 8.01-298.How summons for witness or juror served.
Chapter 8. Process · Article 4. Who to Be Served · Last amended 1979 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceSection 8.01-298 supplements the general method for serving individuals by letting a witness or juror summons be left at the person's workplace with whoever is in charge there, and by allowing a juror summons to be served by mail at least seven days before the appearance date.
Full Text of § 8.01-298
1. At his or her usual place of business or employment during business hours, by delivering a copy thereof and giving information of its purport to the person found there in charge of such business or place of employment; or
2. In the case of a juror, by mailing a summons to the person being served, at least seven days prior to the day he is summoned to appear.
Plain-English Summary
Witnesses and jurors are not always easy to find at home during the day, so Section 8.01-298 adds workplace and mail options on top of the individual-service methods in § 8.01-296. A summons for a witness or a juror may be served at the person's usual place of business or employment during business hours, by delivering a copy and explaining its purport to whoever is found there in charge of the business or place of employment.
For jurors specifically, the section adds a second option: mailing the summons to the person at least seven days before the day he is summoned to appear. That mail option gives courts an efficient way to reach the large pool of citizens called for jury duty without requiring in-person delivery for each one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a witness summons be served at the witness's job?
Yes. It may be served at the witness's usual place of business or employment during business hours, delivered to whoever is found there in charge of the business.
How can a juror be summoned besides in-person delivery?
By mail, sent to the person being summoned at least seven days before the day he is required to appear.
Does this section replace the general methods in §8.01-296?
No. It applies in addition to the manner of serving individuals already prescribed in § 8.01-296.
Is workplace service available for both witness and juror summonses?
Yes. Subdivision 1 covers service at the person's business or place of employment for either a witness or a juror summons.
How many days before appearance must a mailed juror summons be sent?
At least seven days before the day the juror is summoned to appear.
Amendment History
Code 1950, § 8-58; 1954, c. 366; 1973, c. 439; 1977, c. 617; 1979, c. 444.
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
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