Can the defendant not appear in court?

Legal analysis: in litigation activities, the defendant is generally required to appear in court. According to the relevant regulations, if a person refuses to appear in court without justifiable reasons after being summoned, or withdraws from court halfway without the permission of the court, he can make a judgment by default, and the defendant can also entrust a lawyer or other agent to appear in court on his behalf, participate in the trial according to law and defend his rights. Therefore, in most cases, the defendant should appear in court to respond. Unless there are special circumstances, he can apply, so that he doesn't have to appear in court in person, but let the defender represent him.

Legal basis: Article 33 of the Criminal Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC). In addition to exercising the right of defense, criminal suspects and defendants may also entrust one or two people as defenders. The following persons may be entrusted as defenders:

(1) lawyers;

(2) A person recommended by a people's organization or the unit to which the criminal suspect or defendant belongs;

(3) Guardians, relatives and friends of criminal suspects and defendants. A person who has been sentenced to punishment according to law or deprived of or restricted personal freedom shall not act as a defender. A person who has been dismissed from public office or has his lawyer's or notary's practice certificate revoked may not act as a defender, except the guardian or near relative of the criminal suspect or defendant.