Chap. 338.—An ACT to amend and reenact Section 4900 of the Code of Virginia
dealing with constitution of jury in felony cases and trials on pleas of guilty by
omitting requirement that such pleas be tendered in person and consented to
by the Commonwealth’s attorney. [H 282]

Approved March 31, 1948

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That section forty-nine hundred of the Code of Virginia be
amended and reenacted as follows:

Section 4900. How panel selected and jury constituted; how trial
had upon plea of guilty without a jury.—In every case of a felony, there
shall be selected from the persons summoned, as aforesaid, a panel of
twenty persons, free from exception, from which panel the Common-
wealth may strike four and the accused four, and the remaining twelve
shall constitute the jury for the trial of the accused. The striking off of
jurors shall be done alternately, the Commonwealth beginning. If either
the accused or the attorney for the Commonwealth fail to strike off any,
or if they strike off a less number than above allowed, twelve of the
panel, or of those remaining thereon, shall be selected by lot who shall
constitute the jury, provided, however, that upon a plea of guilty,
tendered in person by the accused, the court shall hear and determine
the case without the intervention of a jury; or if the accused plead not
guilty, with his consent and the concurrence of the Commonwealth’s
attorney and of the court entered of record, the court shall hear and
determine the case without the intervention of a jury. In such cases the
court shall have and exercise all the powers, privileges, and duties given
to juries by sections forty-seven hundred sixty-seven, forty-seven hun-
dred eighty-three, forty-nine hundred eighteen, forty-nine hundred
twenty, forty-nine hundred twenty-one, and forty-nine hundred twenty-
two, or any other statute relating to crimes and punishments.