Section 27.7 Presence of the Defendant and Counsel

• Library: Criminal Practice 2012 Supp

A. (§27.7) Presence of the Defendant and Counsel

Section 546.550, RSMo 2000, requires that a criminal defendant be personally present for the judgment if the conviction is for an offense that is punishable by imprisonment or if imprisonment is assessed as punishment by a jury. If the punishment is for a fine only, the defendant must be personally present or some “responsible” person must undertake to pay the judgment and costs. Usually the attorney for the defendant will be the person that pays the judgment and costs. Under...