Opinion ID: 1851425
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The commencement of the trial in the absence of defendant.

Text: Defendant also contends that the trial court erred in ordering the commencement of trial when she was involuntarily absent and had not authorized her attorney to proceed. Plaintiff argues that no prejudice has been alleged by defendant, and that she waived any defect which may have resulted from her absence by failing to object when she appeared on the second day of trial. Prior to commencement of trial, the court inquired of defendant's counsel as follows: Notwithstanding her absence, are you at this time authorized to proceed? Counsel responded: I have not talked with her, Your Honor, but I am willing to proceed with the witnesses that Mr. Peterson lined up on his side of the case. It is difficult to interpret this as a clear indication that counsel was not authorized to proceed. He obviously was not at all reluctant to do so. At any rate, if to proceed in her absence was error, it was harmless error since no prejudice is alleged or shown. Affirmed.