Sorry, I'm not understanding where all this sympathy for convicted people not appearing in court is coming from in this thread.
Now I don't know what kind of slack-arse laws you all have in your countries, but I can tell you none of that crap is tolerated here.
https://www.justice.govt.nz/courts/...ting-yourself-criminal-high-court/sentencing/
"If you plead guilty to, or are found guilty of, an offence, a sentencing hearing will be scheduled and the court will adjourn your case until the date of this sentencing hearing. The court will decide whether you should be remanded on bail or kept in custody until the date of your sentencing hearing.
You will be notified of the date, time and place you are required to report for sentencing. It is important to note that you are required to attend. If you fail to do so, the court may issue a warrant for your arrest."
We regard the judge as the absolute, unquestioned ruler in his court. His word is law and he
must be obeyed (the only exception being an unlawful command). If he tells you that you
will appear in his court at a specific time and date, and you don't turn up, then you are in contempt of court and the judge is well within his rights to issue a warrant for your arrest.
A judge will tell you, the convicted defendant, that you must come to his court for sentencing (time and date) and there is no choice in the matter for you. Attendance is not optional, it is mandatory. Should you fail to show, then the judge is well within the law to have the bailiff arrange for you to be physically brought to the court, in handcuffs if necessary, dragged kicking and screaming if necessary.
And this is how it should be!