Should I attend all the court hearings?

You have the right to attend all court proceedings. However, not all of the settings of a case occur in the courtroom, even if set on a court’s docket. This is because there may be a number of settings regarding plea negotiations or other matters not related to an actual trial or an important hearing. The defendant is usually required to be present, but the setting involves discussions between the prosecutor and the defense attorney regarding scheduling, plea bargaining, and the like. You must be present if requested by the district attorney’s office or if you are subpoenaed.