Yes, it is a big deal. The defendant has the right to be present at the sidebar conferences during voir dire. See CPL 260.20 and People v. Antommarchi, 80 NY2d 247 (1992)
25 posted on 04/16/2024 6:20:43 AM PDT by thegagline
(Sic semper tyrannis! Goldwater & Thomas Sowell in 2024)