State v. G.C.

G.C. was charged in a petition for delinquency with aggravated assault of his mother and possession of cannabis. A hearing was held at which G.C.’s counsel advised the court that G.C. was currently living with his grandmother in Peru. G.C.’s counsel sought permission from the court to take a plea over the telephone and advised the court that G.C. was waiving his right to appear at the sentencing hearing. The trial court confirmed via telephone that G.C. in fact wished to waive his presence at the sentencing hearing. The state objected to this procedure.

The trial court conducted the sentencing…