The judge of each circuit court shall fix a day of his court when the trial of criminal cases will commence, and may make such general or special order in reference thereto, and to the summoning of witnesses, as may seem proper, but all criminal cases shall be disposed of before civil cases, unless the court shall direct otherwise.
When an indictment is found against a person for felony or when an appeal has been perfected from the conviction of a misdemeanor or traffic infraction, the accused, if in custody, or if he appear according to his recognizance, may be tried at the same term and shall be tried within the time limits fixed in § 19.2-243; provided that no trial shall be held on the first day of the term unless it be with consent of the attorney for the Commonwealth and the accused and his attorney.
Code 1950, §§ 19.1-188 through 19.1-190; 1960, c. 366; 1972, c. 705; 1975, c. 495; 1977, c. 585; 1978, c. 410.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 19.2 - Criminal Procedure
Chapter 15 - Trial and Its Incidents
§ 19.2-239. Jurisdiction in criminal cases
§ 19.2-240. Clerks shall make out criminal docket; transportation orders
§ 19.2-241. Time within which court to set criminal cases for trial
§ 19.2-242. Accused discharged from jail if not indicted in time
§ 19.2-245.01. Offenses involving reports or statements concerning cigarette sales or stamping
§ 19.2-245.1. Forgery; where prosecuted
§ 19.2-245.2. Tax offenses; where prosecuted
§ 19.2-246. Injury inflicted by person within Commonwealth upon one outside Commonwealth
§ 19.2-247. Venue in certain homicide cases
§ 19.2-248. Venue when mortal wound, etc., inflicted in one county and death ensues in another
§ 19.2-249.1. Offenses committed within towns situated in two or more counties; where prosecuted
§ 19.2-249.2. Venue for prosecution of computer and other crimes
§ 19.2-250. How far jurisdiction of corporate authorities extends
§ 19.2-251. When and how venue may be changed
§ 19.2-253. Procedure upon and after change of venue
§ 19.2-254.1. Procedure in traffic infraction cases
§ 19.2-254.2. Procedure in nontraffic offenses for which prepayment is authorized
§ 19.2-255. Defendant allowed to plead several matters of law or fact
§ 19.2-257. Trial without jury in felony cases
§ 19.2-258. Trial of misdemeanors by court without jury; failure to appear deemed waiver of jury
§ 19.2-258.1. Trial of traffic infractions; measure of proof; failure to appear
§ 19.2-260. Provisions of Title 8.01 apply except as provided in this article
§ 19.2-261. Charging grand jury in presence of person selected as juror
§ 19.2-262.1. Joinder of defendants
§ 19.2-262.01. Voir dire examination of persons called as jurors
§ 19.2-263.1. Contact between judge and juror prohibited
§ 19.2-263.2. Jury instructions
§ 19.2-263.3. Juror information confidential
§ 19.2-264.6. through 19.2-264.14
§ 19.2-265. Opening statement of counsel
§ 19.2-265.01. Victims, certain members of the family and support persons not to be excluded
§ 19.2-265.2. Judicial notice of laws (Supreme Court Rule 2:202 derived in part from this section)
§ 19.2-265.3. Nolle prosequi; discretion of court upon good cause shown
§ 19.2-265.4. Failure to provide discovery
§ 19.2-265.5. Prosecuting misdemeanor cases without attorney
§ 19.2-266.1. Conviction of lesser offense on indictment for homicide
§ 19.2-266.2. Defense objections to be raised before trial; hearing; bill of particulars