Opinion ID: 1264611
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Absence When Trial Court Entered Final Judgment and Sentence

Text: Smith claims that the trial court erred by entering the Judgment and Sentence on Affirmation by Wyoming Supreme Court without him and his counsel being present. He maintains that, pursuant to Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-11-202 (Michie 1997), he had the right to be present at every stage of the trial. The state counters that § 7-11-202 does not require that Smith or his attorney be present when the trial court enters a written order on affirmance of a conviction because entering the order is not a stage of the trial proceedings. Smith's argument is without merit. Section 7-11-202 provides in pertinent part: Except as otherwise provided by this section, the defendant shall be present at the arraignment, at every stage of the trial, including the impaneling of the jury, and the return of the verdict and at the imposition of sentence. In this case, the trial court was merely entering an order upon the affirmance by this Court of Smith's conviction for delivering a controlled substance. The arraignment, trial, and sentencing had already occurred, and Smith's presence was not required when the trial court entered the written order acknowledging this Court's decision on the underlying conviction. See § 7-11-202; W.R.Cr.P. 43. Affirmed.