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West VirginiaSB 8002026 Regular SessionSenate

Clarifying policy of state regarding jury service

Sponsored By: Jimmy Willis (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§52-1-1§52-1-3§52-1-5§52-1-5A§52-1-6§52-1-7§52-1-7A§52-1-8§52-1-9§52-1-15§52-1-16§52-1-22§52-1-25§52-2-3

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Penalties for skipping or cheating jury duty

If you ignore a jury summons and then ignore a court order to show cause, the court can hold you in civil contempt and fine you up to $1,000. Willfully lying on a juror form or in an interview to avoid or get service is a misdemeanor with up to a $500 fine or up to 30 days in jail. Tampering with the jury wheel is a felony with up to a $5,000 fine and one to five years in prison.

How counties build juror pools

Jurors are chosen at random from a fair cross section of each county. The state builds a master list from people on at least two of these: state income tax filers, registered voters, and driver’s license holders, and uses it for two years. Most public agencies must share source data to build the list; the Tax Commissioner is exempt. Clerks use an electronic jury wheel with minimum sizes by county population (200, 400, 800, or 1,600 names) and remove people who served and were paid in the last two years. Clerks draw and assign jurors at random, send a summons and form at least 20 days before, and may randomly summon more if there is a shortage.

How to challenge jury selection

If you challenge how jurors were picked, you must file within seven days after you discover the problem and before the petit jury is sworn. The motion must state the facts. The court can pause the case, quash an indictment, or give other relief if it finds a serious failure to follow the rules. The clerk may identify which lists were used but does not have to share their contents. This is the only remedy unless there is fraud.

Who can serve or be excused

The law sets clear rules for who can serve on a jury. You cannot serve if you are not a U.S. citizen, are under 18, do not live in the county, cannot use English (ASL or Signed English counts), have a serious disability that prevents service, served and were paid in the last two years, lost voting rights, or were convicted of perjury or a felony punishable over one year unless pardoned or expunged. If you have a disability, the court must allow you to serve with reasonable accommodations unless the kind of evidence would block you from judging it; any helper must swear not to speak for you. If you are 70 or older, the court excuses you from service if you ask.

Grand jury selection and officeholder limits

When a grand jury is needed, the clerk draws and assigns jurors at least 30 days before the court term. The clerk draws 16 people and summons them like petit jurors, with alternates as the judge directs. Public officeholders cannot serve on grand juries; notaries are allowed.

Juror forms, records, and transparency

If the court directs, the clerk mails a juror qualification form at least 20 days before you must report, and you must return it within 10 days. Lawyers can see questionnaires for prospective jurors; after a trial, releasing forms needs the judge’s written OK, and any denial must give written reasons within 30 days. Clerks keep jury records for at least four years and, by March 1 each year, report age, race, and gender data; the Supreme Court gives it to legislative leaders by April 1. The county jury and freeholder lists are open for in‑person public inspection during business hours.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jimmy Willis

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Mike Woelfel

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 148 • No: 11

Senate vote • 3/13/2026

Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 602)

Yes: 31 • No: 2

House vote • 3/12/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 450)

Yes: 84 • No: 9

Senate vote • 2/17/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 107)

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

    4/1/2026Senate

  2. To Governor 3/18/2026

    3/18/2026Senate

  3. To Governor 3/18/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  4. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  5. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  6. House Message received

    3/13/2026Senate

  7. Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 602)

    3/13/2026Senate

  8. Communicated to House

    3/13/2026Senate

  9. Completed legislative action

    3/13/2026Senate

  10. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    3/12/2026House

  11. Read 3rd time

    3/12/2026House

  12. Passed House (Roll No. 450)

    3/12/2026House

  13. Communicated to Senate

    3/12/2026House

  14. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

    3/11/2026House

  15. Read 2nd time

    3/11/2026House

  16. Amendment reported by the Clerk

    3/11/2026House

  17. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/11/2026House

  18. With amendment, do pass

    3/10/2026House

  19. Immediate consideration

    3/10/2026House

  20. Read 1st time

    3/10/2026House

  21. Markup Discussion

    3/9/2026House

  22. House received Senate message

    2/18/2026House

  23. Introduced in House

    2/18/2026House

  24. To Judiciary

    2/18/2026House

  25. To House Judiciary

    2/18/2026House

Bill Text

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