                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

TRIAL OF MISDEMEANORS BY COURT WITHOUT JURY; FAILURE TO APPEAR DEEMED WAIVER OF
JURY (§ 19.2-258)

In all cases of a misdemeanor upon a plea of guilty, tendered in person by the
accused or his counsel, the court shall hear and determine the case without the
intervention of a jury. If the accused plead not guilty, in person or by his
counsel, the court, in its discretion, with the concurrence of the accused and
the attorney for the Commonwealth, may hear and determine the case without the
intervention of a jury. In each instance the court shall have and exercise all
the powers and duties vested in juries by any statute relating to crimes and
punishments.
		When a person charged with a misdemeanor has been admitted to bail or released
upon his own recognizance for his appearance before a court of record having
jurisdiction of the case, for a hearing thereon and fails to appear in
accordance with the condition of his bail or recognizance, he shall be deemed to
have waived trial by a jury and the case may be heard in his absence as upon a
plea of not guilty.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 19.1-193; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495.