AC41856 - State v. Hernandez (Assault in first degree; "The defendant, Jose Luis Hernandez, appeals from the judgment of conviction, following a jury trial, of assault in the first degree in violation of General Statutes § 53a-59 (a) (1). On appeal, the defendant claims that the trial court violated his constitutional right to be present at all critical stages of his prosecution when it sentenced him in absentia. Specifically, the defendant claims that the trial court violated his constitutional right to be present at all critical stages of his prosecution because it failed (1) to make an express finding that the defendant waived his right to be present, and (2) to notify the defendant, prior to sentencing him, that sentencing would proceed in his absence if he did not appear. We disagree and affirm the judgment of the trial court.")