"If charged with a felony the defendant must, before the verdict is received, appear in person, unless, after the exercise of reasonable diligence to procure the presence of the defendant, the court shall find that it will be in the interest of justice that the verdict be received in his absence. If for a misdemeanor, the verdict may be rendered in his absence." (1148 PC)
After the jury has retired to deliberate on the verdict in a criminal case, the bailiff shall advise the defendant to remain either in the courtroom or in the immediate vicinity of the courtroom to be readily available if the jury requests to return to the courtroom.