This decision out of Supreme Court, New York County — Dominguez v. Reardon — caught my eye.  Justice Braun clearly states that the defense counsel must appear before the court regarding infant compromise hearings, and cannot stipulate that the hearings can be conducted in the absence of defense counsel.  Justice Braun explains in the decision that such common practice violates the Uniform Rules and ethical considerations.

This decision proves my belief that failing to follow rules may give you a short-term advantage, but will most likely always come back to haunt you.