THE DEFENDANT CAN BE COMPELLED TO APPEAR FOR SENTENCING
The New Jersey Supreme Court recently ruled that the trial judge has the authority to compel the defendant to appear for sentencing. The family of the murdered victim in the matter of State v. Tedesco wanted to appear at sentencing and wanted the defendant present at this proceeding. The Court ruled as follows:
“There can be little doubt that from the standpoint of the victims, who are to be treated with fairness, compassion, respect, and dignity, their statements at sentencing will carry more meaning if they are heard not only by the judge but the defendants as well.”
Below is the article that appeared in the New Jersey Law Journal pertaining to this ruling.