PEOPLE v. BALKUM

Judgment unanimously reversed on the law and new trial granted. Memorandum: Defendant was not present for the Sandoval proceeding when the court ruled that he could be cross-examined with respect to two prior convictions. Defendant's absence from that proceeding deprived defendant of his right to be present during all material stages of his trial (CPL 260.20; People v Dokes, 79 N.Y.2d 656). Such a violation requires reversal (People v Favor, 82 N.Y.2d 254).