The term "writ of venire facias" for the purpose of this chapter shall be construed as referring to the list or lists of jurors made by the clerk from names drawn from the jury box and notice to appear in court served or mailed as provided herein shall be equivalent to summoning such juror in execution of a writ of venire facias.
§ 8.01-354."Writ of venire facias" defined.
Chapter 11. Juries · Article 4. Jury Service · Last amended 1976 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceClarifies that the term “writ of venire facias,” wherever used in this chapter, refers to the clerk’s list of jurors drawn from the jury box, and that mailing or serving a juror notice under this chapter carries the same legal effect as formally executing that historic writ.
Full Text of § 8.01-354
Plain-English Summary
Old legal terminology has a way of outliving the procedures it originally described, and this section keeps one such term from causing confusion. Wherever this chapter uses the phrase “writ of venire facias,” it means the list or lists of jurors the clerk compiles from names drawn out of the jury box — not some separate, formal document that still needs to be issued.
The section also ties that definition to modern notice practice: serving or mailing a juror notice under this chapter carries the same legal weight as summoning that juror by an actual writ of venire facias. The upshot is that anyone encountering the older term in a statute, opinion, or form can read it as referring to today’s list-and-notice procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “writ of venire facias” mean under this chapter?
It refers to the list or lists of jurors made by the clerk from names drawn from the jury box.
Does Virginia still issue a separate formal writ to summon jurors?
No. Notice to appear in court, served or mailed as provided in this chapter, is treated as equivalent to summoning a juror in execution of a writ of venire facias.
Why does this definitional section exist?
It ties historical terminology to the current notice procedures so older references to the writ still function under modern practice.
Who prepares the list that this section treats as the writ of venire facias?
The clerk.
Does this section create any new duty for jurors?
No. It is a definitional provision that connects older terminology to the current notice procedures described elsewhere in the chapter.
Amendment History
Code 1950, § 8-208.24; 1973, c. 439; 1976, c. 617.
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: writ of venire facias virginia meaningvenire facias definition virginia