Does defendant's voluntary absence operate to waive his constitutional right to be present at trial and permitted continuation of the trial?

Of course, our conclusion that defendant's voluntary absence operated to waive his constitutional right to be present at trial and permitted continuation of the trial, does not end our inquiry regarding the propriety of the trial court's decision to proceed with the trial in the absence of defendant and defense counsel. Section 1043(b)(2) states that a defendant's voluntary absence shall not prevent the trial from continuing, but it does not require it. Accordingly, the decision whether to continue with a trial in absentia under the statute or to declare a mistrial rests within the discretion of the trial court. (Cf. Cureton v. United States, supra, 396 F.2d at p. 675 [similar language in

[1 Cal.5th 76]