Rule 19.2 Presence of the Defendant at Trial

You have the right to be present for every part of your trial if you are charged with a felony or misdemeanor. This includes when the jury is selected, when the judge gives the jury any instructions, and when the jury announces its verdict.

You can give up this right, but only by following the steps in Rule 9. If you choose to waive your right to be present, the trial can move forward without you.