To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what powers judges have to require the attendance of offenders in court for sentencing.
Answered on
28 April 2022
Where an offender is remanded on bail whilst they are awaiting sentencing (as opposed to being remanded into custody), they are under a duty to surrender themselves to the custody of the court at the next appointed time for a sentencing hearing. Where the offender fails in this duty, the court may issue a warrant for their arrest.
Where an offender is being held on remand in custody and they are directed to attend court for a sentencing hearing, a judge has no power to force them to attend the hearing if they refuse to do so.
The Secretary of State is considering the matter.