What rights does a defendant have to remain silent at trial?

A defendant is afforded many rights including the right to remain silent, the right to counsel and the right to a jury trial (in some instances). However, all of these rights may be waived provided such waiver is knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily made. The right to be present at trial, also referred to as the right of confrontation, is a privilege extended to, rather than a restriction on, the accused and he is free to assert it or waive it as to him may seem advantageous (Diaz v. U.S., Id. at 451) and a defendant may waive that right provided that the waiver is made knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily. To hold otherwise is not supported by the intent of the constitution or by case law.