In a traffic infraction case, as defined in § 46.2-100, involving an offense included in the uniform fine schedule established pursuant to § 16.1-69.40:1, a defendant may elect to enter a written appearance and waive court hearing, except in instances in which property damage or personal injury resulted. Arraignment is not necessary when waived by the accused or his counsel, when the accused fails to appear, or when such written appearance has been elected.
An accused may plead not guilty, guilty, or nolo contendere; and the court shall not refuse to accept a plea of nolo contendere. A plea of guilty may be entered in writing without court appearance.
When an accused tenders payment without executing a written waiver of court hearing and entry of guilty plea, such tender of payment shall itself be deemed a waiver of court hearing and entry of guilty plea.
In districts with traffic violations bureaus on July 1, 1977, the chief judge of the district may designate the traffic violations bureau for the receipt of a written appearance, waiver of court hearing and guilty plea.
1977, c. 585; 1978, c. 605; 1992, c. 54.
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