In felony cases the defendant must be present when the verdict is read unless his absence is wilful or voluntary. A verdict in a misdemeanor case may be received and read in the absence of the defendant.
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 37.06
PRESENCE OF DEFENDANT
Acts 1965, 59th Leg., vol. 2, p. 317, ch. 722.
Official source: Texas Constitution and Statutes. Reproduced from public-domain Texas statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.