In criminal cases, defendants have the right to be present during their trial; and, it is generally in their best interest to be present and represented by an attorney. However, if a defendant is unable to attend a court hearing, they may waive their right to be present, and, in turn, seek permission from the court to be represented by their attorney in their absence.  This is called "absentia representation."

Absentia representation is usually only available in misdemeanor cases in Louisiana.  There are, however, a few limited exceptions where a judge might waive a defendant's presence in felony case.  It's also important to note that common practices regarding absentia representation vary from parish to parish and court to court.  Accordingly, it's always best to seek the advice from a qualified attorney in Louisiana before making any assumptions.