Charged with the possession and sale of drugs, Rahjeem Williams was told he had the "absolute" right to be present at judicial conferences--including when counsel questioned potential jurors for bias. (Both the judge and Williams' attorney explained that entitlement to him.)
After he was convicted of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree, Williams appealed claiming he had been denied a right to be present while members of the jury pool were questioned.
Both the Appellate Division, First Department, and the Court of Appeals thought that Williams had knowingly waived participation. Among other things, he supposedly didn't object or request to be present when the juror selection process was underway.
Waive goodbye.
To view a copy of the Court of Appeals's decision, please use this link: People v. Williams