California Penal Code

§ 977

PEN § 977 Effective Jul 2, 2024Title 6 · Part 2 · Ch. 1

Statute text

(a)(1) In all cases in which the accused is charged with a misdemeanor only, they may appear by counsel only, except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3). If the accused agrees, the initial court appearance, arraignment, plea, and all other proceedings, except jury and court trials, may be conducted remotely through the use of technology, as provided by subdivision (c).

(2)If the accused is charged with a misdemeanor offense involving domestic violence, as defined in Section 6211 of the Family Code, or a misdemeanor violation of Section 273.6, the accused shall be present for arraignment and sentencing, and at any time during the proceedings when ordered by the court for the purpose of being informed of the conditions of a protective order issued pursuant to Section 136.2.

(3)If the accused is charged with a misdemeanor offense involving driving under the influence, in an appropriate case, the court may order a defendant to be present for arraignment, at the time of plea, or at sentencing. For purposes of this paragraph, a misdemeanor offense involving driving under the influence shall include a misdemeanor violation of any of the following:

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Legislative history

Amended (as amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 190, Sec. 3) by Stats. 2024, Ch. 51, Sec. 10. (AB 170) Effective July 2, 2024. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, by its own provisions. See later operative version, as amended by Sec. 11 of Stats. 2024, Ch. 51.