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Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act No. 51 of 1977)

Chapter 20 : Preparatory Examination

141. Procedure where accused arraigned for trial

 

(1) Where an accused is under section 139(b) arraigned for trial, a magistrate or regional magistrate of the court in which the preparatory examination was held shall advise the accused of the decision of the attorney-general and, if the accused is to be arraigned in a court other than the court concerned, commit the accused for trial by such other court.

 

(2) Where an accused is arraigned for trial after a preparatory examination, the case shall be dealt with in all respects as with a summary trial.

 

(3) The record of the preparatory examination shall, upon proof thereof in the court in which the accused is arraigned for trial, be received as part of the record of that court against the accused, and any admission by the accused shall stand at the trial of the accused as proof of such admission: Provided that the evidence adduced at such preparatory examination shall not form part of the record of the trial of the accused unless—
(a) the accused pleads guilty at his trial to the offence charged, or to an offence of which he may be convicted on the charge and the prosecutor accepts that plea; or
(b) the parties to the proceedings agree that any part of such evidence be admitted at the proceedings.

 

(4)
(a) Where an accused who has been discharged under section 135 is arraigned for trial under section 139(b), the clerk of the court where the preparatory examination was held shall issue to him a written notice to that effect and stating the place, date and time for the appearance of the accused in that court for committal for trial, or, if he is to be arraigned in that court, to plead to the charge on which he is to be arraigned.
(b) The notice referred to in paragraph (a) shall be served on the accused in the manner provided for in sections 54(2) and (3) for the service of a summons in a lower court and the provisions of sections 55(1) and (2) shall mutatis mutandis apply with reference to such a notice.
(c) If the accused is committed for trial by another court, the court committing the accused may direct that he be detained in custody, whereupon the provisions of Chapter 9 shall apply with reference to the release of the accused on bail.