State v. Henderson

SEXTON, Judge.

This Court granted writs in these two separate and factually unrelated causes to consider the propriety of bench warrants issued by the trial judge as a result of the failure of each defendant to appear at a preliminary stage of his case. Rejecting defendants’ contention that counsel may waive their presence at certain preliminary stages of the proceedings, we hold that a defendant who has been properly notified is obligated to appear at those proceedings. We therefore recall the writs issued in these two causes as improvidently granted and reinstate the bench warrants and bond…