Dear PAO,
I just want to inquire on behalf of my friend's father. He is a defendant in a civil case, but his lawyer is currently in the hospital. He was informed of the date of the pre-trial hearing, and he plans to attend, but he is unsure if his lawyer will be able to join because of his medical condition. Someone from the plaintiff's side seems to have insinuated, through a cryptic social media post, that my friend's father will lose the opportunity to present evidence if his lawyer is absent. This has made them anxious, as they have sufficient proof to support their case. Is pre-trial really that important? Does a defendant really lose the opportunity to present evidence if they attend the pre-trial hearing, albeit the absence of his or her lawyer?
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