This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.
Here's a plain English summary of this rule.
A prosecutor has to be in the courtroom for felony and misdemeanor cases. This means either the elected prosecutor or one of their deputies needs to show up when these cases are being handled in court.
There is one exception to this rule. The prosecutor does not need to be present at an initial hearing if no evidence is presented at that hearing. An initial hearing is usually the first time a defendant appears in court, where they learn the charges against them and enter a plea.
For anyone involved in a criminal case, this rule means you can expect a prosecutor to be part of most court proceedings. This helps make sure the state's side of the case is represented at each important step, not just at the very beginning when the case is first getting started.
