Legal Definitions - presence-of-defendant rule

The presence-of-defendant rule is a principle in criminal law that states that a defendant charged with a felony has the right to be present during every significant stage of the criminal proceeding. This rule is outlined in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, specifically Rule 43.

For example, if a defendant is being arraigned, they have the right to be present in court to hear the charges against them and enter a plea. If a defendant is being sentenced, they have the right to be present to hear the sentence and any conditions of probation or parole.

The presence-of-defendant rule is important because it ensures that defendants have the opportunity to participate in their own defense and to be aware of the proceedings against them. It also helps to prevent any potential violations of the defendant's constitutional rights.