You have the right to an oral hearing in at least one instance of the trial. You also have the right to be present at the oral hearings, even if you are defended by a lawyer.
In Slovenia, the judge can decide to conduct a written process in the first instance, unless you ask the court to have an oral hearing. There are some decisions (such as decisions on the admissibility of your appeal), which contain purely technical or legal issues. For these types of issues, the court is not obliged to hold an oral hearing as long as you have had the opportunity to submit your arguments and observations in written form.
You will also have the right to attend an oral hearing at the appeals stage at a higher court.
The right to an oral hearing also involves a duty to attend the hearings at the court’s invitation. According to the Minor Offences Act, if you have submitted an appeal to the court and you do not attend a hearing without justification, your appeal may be dismissed.