com.sun.jdi.ObjectReference::setValue spec says:
--------
Sets the value of a given instance or static field in this object. The Field must be valid for this ObjectReference; that is, it must be from the mirrored object's class or a superclass of that class. If static, the field must not be final.
-------
"If static" is confusing here.
The method throws IllegalArgumentException ("Cannot set value of final field") for both static and instance final fields.