                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

SELECTION OF JURORS (§ 25.1-229)

A. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the provisions of Chapter 11
(&#xA7; 8.01-336 et seq.) of Title 8.01 shall apply to the selection of
condemnation juries mutatis mutandis. While preserving the random selection
process set forth in &#xA7; 8.01-345, the jury commissioner shall determine the
freeholder status of individuals randomly selected by reference to tax rolls or
other reliable data the judge of the circuit court deems appropriate.

B. All of the acting jurors and all of the names drawn for alternate jurors
shall be freeholders of property within the jurisdiction. On the day set for
trial, jurors who appear shall be called to be sworn on their voir dire until a
disinterested and impartial panel is obtained. A juror may be stricken for
cause. From the impartial panel the judge shall randomly select 13 jurors. From
the panel of 13 jurors each party shall have four peremptory strikes. The court
may appoint alternate jurors. Five persons from a panel of not fewer than 13
jurors shall constitute a jury in a condemnation case. If fewer than seven
jurors remain before the court prior to the exercise of peremptory strikes, the
trial may proceed and be heard by less than five jurors provided the parties
agree. However, no trial shall proceed with fewer than three jurors.

C. The conclusion of the jurors need not be unanimous, and a majority of the
jurors may act in the name of the jury.

D. In condemnation proceedings instituted by the Commissioner of Highways, a
person owning structures or improvements for which an outdoor advertising permit
has been issued by the Commissioner of Highways pursuant to &#xA7; 33.2-1208
shall be deemed to be an &#8220;owner&#8221; for purposes of this section.

HISTORY: Code 1919, §§ 4366, 4367; 1928, p. 334; 1948, p. 168; Code 1950, §§
25-12, 25-16; 1962, c. 426, § 25-46.20; 1968, c. 535; 1973, c. 510; 1974, c.
625; 1975, c. 551; 1991, c. 520; 1993, c. 906; 1997, c. 58; 2000, c. 1029; 2003,
c. 940; 2006, c. 586; 2007, cc. 450, 720.