Section 22-3405 - Presence of defendant(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.Amended by L. 2014, ch. 114,§ 6, eff. 7/1/2014.L. 1970, ch. 129, § 22-3405; L. 1984, ch. 39, § 41; L. 1996, ch. 214, § 33; July 1.