Opinion ID: 852539
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Right To Be Present at Trial

Text: First, it is clear that Jackson waived his right to be present at his trial. Both the Federal and Indiana Constitutions afford defendants in a criminal proceeding the right to be present at all stages of their trial. U.S. Const. amend. VI; Ind. Const. art. 1, § 13. However, a defendant may be tried in absentia if the trial court determines that the defendant knowingly and voluntarily waived that right. Lampkins v. State, 682 N.E.2d 1268, 1273 (Ind.1997) (citing Freeman v. State, 541 N.E.2d 533, 535 (Ind.1989); Fennell v. State, 492 N.E.2d 297, 299 (Ind. 1986)). When a defendant fails to appear for trial and fails to notify the trial court or provide it with an explanation of his absence, the trial court may conclude the defendant's absence is knowing and voluntary and proceed with trial when there is evidence that the defendant knew of his scheduled trial date. Freeman, 541 N.E.2d at 535 (citing Carter v. State, 501 N.E.2d 439, 440-41 (Ind. 1986); Martin v. State, 457 N.E.2d 1085, 1086 (Ind.1984)); see also Lampkins, 682 N.E.2d at 1273 (The best evidence that a defendant knowingly and voluntarily waived his or her right to be present at trial is the defendant's presence in court on the date the matter is set for trial. (internal quotations and citations omitted)). [1] The record shows that Jackson was informed of his trial date at the pretrial conference, both orally and in writing. Jackson never contacted the court prior to his trial to address any confusion he might have had about the trial date or indicate to the trial court that he was unable to hire trial counsel. It is not clear what Jackson's affidavit means when he says he was led to believe his trial would not go forward. According to Jackson's affidavit, Jackson relying upon counsel, was led to believe that the January 27, 2003 trial date would be cancelled [and] that a new date would be set after an attorney appeared. This is subject to several interpretations. Jackson could have honestly believed from his attorney's advice that he did not have to attend trial on January 27. At the other end of the spectrum, Jackson may have been informed by his attorney that Jackson could manipulate the system by missing his trial. Taken most generously to him, his affidavit claims that his attorney informed him that he did not have to attend trial on January 27. If that was the case, that fact may support an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, but the facts necessary to support such a claim are not established on this record and are left to post-conviction procedures if Jackson believes he can establish such a claim. [2] Even if Jackson's absence was in reliance on counsel's advice, it does not negate Jackson's waiver of his right to be present at his jury trial. Consistent with Indiana law, the trial court properly concluded that Jackson's knowledge of the trial date coupled with a lack of explanation for his absence supported a determination that there was a voluntary and knowing waiver.