On any indictment or presentment for a misdemeanor process shall be issued immediately. If the accused appear and plead to the charge, the trial shall proceed without delay, unless good cause for continuance be shown. If, in any misdemeanor case the accused fails to appear and plead, when required the court may either award a capias or proceed to trial in the same manner as if the accused had appeared, plead not guilty and waived trial by jury, provided, that the court shall not in any such case enforce a jail sentence.
Code 1950, §§ 19.1-180, 19.1-184; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495; 1979, c. 468.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 19.2 - Criminal Procedure
Chapter 14 - Presentments, Indictments and Informations
§ 19.2-216. Definition of indictment, presentment and information
§ 19.2-217.1. Central file of aggravated murder indictments
§ 19.2-218. Preliminary hearing required for person arrested on charge of felony; waiver
§ 19.2-218.1. Preliminary hearings involving certain sexual crimes against spouses
§ 19.2-219. When capias need not be issued; summons; judgment
§ 19.2-220. Contents of indictment in general
§ 19.2-221. Form of prosecutions generally; murder and manslaughter
§ 19.2-223. Charging several acts of embezzlement; description of money
§ 19.2-224. In prosecution for forgery, unnecessary to set forth copy of forged instrument
§ 19.2-225. Allegation of intent
§ 19.2-226. What defects in indictments not to vitiate them
§ 19.2-227. When judgment not to be arrested or reversed
§ 19.2-229. When complaining witness required to give security for costs
§ 19.2-230. Bill of particulars
§ 19.2-231. Amendment of indictment, presentment or information
§ 19.2-232. What process to be awarded against accused on indictment, etc.
§ 19.2-233. How awarded, directed, returnable and executed
§ 19.2-234. Procedure when person arrested under capias
§ 19.2-235. Clerks to mail process to officers in other counties, etc.
§ 19.2-236. Where process of arrest may be executed
§ 19.2-237. Process on indictment or presentment for misdemeanor
§ 19.2-238. Summons against corporation; proceedings; expense of publication