In People v. Melendez, the trial judge refused to allow a defense witness to testify because the witness had allegedly violated a sequestration order to exclude witnesses from the courtroom and had conversed with the defendant at some point during the trial. In this particular case, the trial judge:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The trial judge in this situation should have first determined whether a violation of the sequestration order actually occurred before imposing any sanctions. It is important to ensure that a witness has actually violated the order before taking away their right to testify. The judge may then impose an appropriate sanction if it is determined that a violation occurred.

In People V