§3434 Presence of Defendant—(rule)

Summary

Requires the defendant to be in court for key moments in a criminal case. You must be present when the charges are read, when you enter a plea, during the trial (including jury selection and verdict), and at sentencing. Some routine hearings or legal arguments can happen without you there. You can give up the right to be present if you do so clearly and freely, and the court can then continue without you. A company does not come in person; it is represented by a lawyer.