Virginia law allows felony and misdemeanor cases to be tried without a jury under certain conditions. Felony cases can be heard by the court after a guilty plea or with the defendant's consent if they plead not guilty, while misdemeanors are generally tried by the court upon a guilty plea or at the discretion of the court for not guilty pleas. Failure to appear after bail or recognizance is considered a waiver of jury trial.
Yes, if the defendant pleads guilty in person or consents after being advised by counsel, the court will hear the case without a jury.
Yes, misdemeanor cases are generally tried by the court upon a guilty plea or at the court's discretion with the defendant's and prosecutor's agreement.
Failure to appear is deemed a waiver of the right to a jury trial, and the case may be heard in the defendant's absence.
Yes, but they must not plead guilty and must not consent to a bench trial; otherwise, the case will be tried by the court without a jury.