Terms Used In Kansas Statutes 22-3405

  • Arraignment: A proceeding in which an individual who is accused of committing a crime is brought into court, told of the charges, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty.
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.

(a) The defendant in a felony case 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, except as otherwise provided by law. In prosecutions for crimes not punishable by death or life without the possibility of parole, the defendant’s voluntary absence after the trial has been commenced in such person’s presence shall not prevent continuing the trial to and including the return of the verdict. A corporation may appear by counsel for all purposes.

(b) The defendant must be present, either personally or by counsel, at every stage of the trial of traffic infraction, cigarette or tobacco infraction and misdemeanor cases.