§ 418. Proceedings, if defendant does not appear. If the defendant does not appear, the court, upon proof of service or publication as provided in the last two sections, may of its own motion, or for cause shown, assign another day or place for hearing the impeachment; or may then, or at any other time which it may appoint, proceed in the absence of the defendant, to trial and judgment.

Terms Used In N.Y. Judiciary Law 418

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Impeachment: (1) The process of calling something into question, as in "impeaching the testimony of a witness." (2) The constitutional process whereby the House of Representatives may "impeach" (accuse of misconduct) high officers of the federal government for trial in the Senate.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.