Mo. Rev. Stat. § 546.550 : CRIMINAL PROCEDURE — Trials, Judgments and Executions in Criminal Cases —VERDICTS, JUDGMENTS AND EXECUTIONS — Presence of prisoner at rendition of judgment

For the purpose of judgment, if the conviction be for an offense punishable by imprisonment, or imprisonment be assessed as punishment by the jury, the defendant must be personally present; if for a fine only, he must be personally present, or some responsible person must undertake for him to pay the judgment and costs; judgment may then be rendered in his absence.