California Court of Appeal

Superior court's appellate division's affirmance of the traffic court's judgment finding defendant guilty of driving at an unsafe speed and driving with a load obstructing her control of the vehicle is affirmed, but for a different reason, as the traffic court erred when it proceeded with trial in defendant's absence without making appropriate inquiries into the reasons for the absence in order to determine whether it was both knowing and voluntary. However, the record indicates the error was harmless as defendant has not even presented a colorable argument as to why she would not have been found guilty of both traffic infractions if she had been present at trial.

Appellate Information

• Decided 07/07/2010
• Published 07/07/2010

Judges

• RAMIREZ

Court

• California Court of Appeal

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Thomas P. O‟Brien