Opinion ID: 854025
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Right to be Present

Text: Robinson also asserts that, even in the absence of the statutory provision, the trial court was required to bring the jurors into open court to view the photographs. His assertion is grounded in the federal and state constitutional rights to be present during trial. See U.S. CONST. amend. 6; IND. CONST. art. I, § 13. Although Robinson cites these two constitutional provisions, he provides no authority for the proposition that there is a constitutional right to be present during jury deliberations that may include viewing of exhibits, or that it is a violation of either the state or federal constitution to permit the viewing of exhibits in the jury room as opposed to in open court. The Sixth Amendment right of the accused to be present in the courtroom at every stage of his trial is rooted in the Confrontation Clause. Ridley v. State, 690 N.E.2d 177, 180 (Ind.1997) (quoting Illinois v. Allen, 397 U.S. 337, 338, 90 S.Ct. 1057, 25 L.Ed.2d 353 (1970)). This right extends to situations related to the presentation of witnesses or evidence, during which the right of cross examination is implicated. Id. Allowing jurors to view photographs or other exhibits during their deliberations does not deny Robinson an opportunity to confront or cross examine. We find no Sixth Amendment violation. Robinson also claims a violation of Article I, § 13 of the Indiana Constitution, which protects a defendant's right to be present in the courtroom at every stage of the proceedings that requires the presence of the jury. Cape v. State, 272 Ind. 609, 611, 400 N.E.2d 161, 163 (1980). [6] There is no statutory or constitutional requirement that the jury be returned to the courtroom for the viewing of photographs. [7] Accordingly, Robinson's state constitutional right to be present at all stages requiring the presence of the jury was not implicated.