1. The convict and the Defendant liable for civil rights may challenge, by way of opposition, the judgments rendered in absentia on the misdemeanors and infractions within seven [7] days of the date of being notified of the judgment. The statement of opposition shall be filed with the office of criminal clerks of the Public Prosecution located within the territorial jurisdiction of the Court that rendered the judgment, and shall indicate the date of the hearing scheduled for the opposition proceeding. The filing of a statement of opposition shall be deemed a service of the judgment in absentia, even if the same is filed by the attorney. 2. The opposition shall cause the case to be heard ab initio with regard to the opposing party before the Court that rendered the judgment in absentia. The opposing party shall not sustain any harm as a result of his opposition proceeding. If the opposing party fails to attend the first hearing scheduled for hearing his opposition proceeding, the opposition proceeding shall be deemed null and void, and any challenge filed by the opposing party against the judgment rendered in absentia shall not be admitted.
Interpretation and application must be checked against the official text and current version.