Which statement about trial procedures is true?

Which statement about trial procedures is true?

• A. Docket call is when the court determines if all the prospective jurors appeared.
• B. If a mistrial is declared, the case must be tried within two days.
• C. A defendant who has been in custody and then failed to appear for trial may be charged with failure to appear.
• D. Municipal courts may close a trial to the public if it is in the best interest of the defendant.

Answer: (C)

Failure to appear is a separate offense that can be charged when a defendant who has been ordered to appear does not show up for trial. The fact that the defendant was in custody earlier does not prevent charging this offense; if they fail to appear as ordered, the court may issue a capias for their arrest and may forfeit any bond. This is why the statement is true: the failure to appear itself creates a criminal charge in addition to the underlying case. Docket calls are about scheduling and confirming appearances, not determining juror presence; a mistrial does not fix a two-day retrial deadline, and trials in municipal courts are generally open to the public unless a specific exception applies.

Failure to appear is a separate offense that can be charged when a defendant who has been ordered to appear does not show up for trial. The fact that the defendant was in custody earlier does not prevent charging this offense; if they fail to appear as ordered, the court may issue a capias for their arrest and may forfeit any bond. This is why the statement is true: the failure to appear itself creates a criminal charge in addition to the underlying case. Docket calls are about scheduling and confirming appearances, not determining juror presence; a mistrial does not fix a two-day retrial deadline, and trials in municipal courts are generally open to the public unless a specific exception applies.