46-16-123. Absence of defendant on receiving verdict or at sentencing. (1) In all misdemeanor cases, the verdict may be returned and the sentence imposed without the defendant being present.
     (2) In all felony cases, the defendant shall appear in person when the verdict is returned or the sentence is imposed unless, after the exercise of due diligence to procure the defendant's presence, the court finds that it is in the interest of justice that the verdict be returned and the sentence be pronounced in the defendant's absence.

     History: En. Sec. 128, Ch. 800, L. 1991.