Village of Elmwood Park v. Keegan

The issue in this appeal is whether a defendant who is ordered by the judge to go out of the courtroom and get an attorney can be tried and convicted during his absence. The facts are not in dispute.

In complaints that alleged violations of two municipal ordinances, Earl R. Keegan was charged with “* * * failure to reduce speed to avoid accident [sic] * * **” and with * * driving while under the influence alcohol [sic] * * He went to court twice without an attorney. On each occasion, he asked for and was granted a continuance. The third time, on the morning of February 7, 1973, Keegan…