Va. Code § 19.2-283: How accused may be convicted of felony

No person shall be convicted of felony, unless by his confession of guilt in court, or by his plea, or by the verdict of a jury, accepted and recorded by the court, or by judgment of the court trying the case without a jury according to law.Code 1950, § 19.1-248; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495.