Required Appearances

If a defendant is charged with a misdemeanor, an attorney may appear for said defendant except that the defendant shall appear for all trials, pleas, or scheduled sentencing or as otherwise ordered by the court. Either the misdemeanor defendant or defendant's attorney must appear at all hearings, except that a court may allow the attorney to obtain a trial setting by short form written order in lieu of second appearance, to be coordinated with the District Attorney's office to avoid conflicts.

A defendant charged with a felony must appear personally at each hearing, unless the assigned Court approves a written continuance signed by the defendant, the defense attorney and the prosecutor in advance of the scheduled hearing.