CAMBODIA – CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE

BOOK 4 INVESTIGATIONS

TITLE 1 - Investigating Judge

CHAPTER 2 - INVESTIGATION BY AN INVESTIGATING JUDGE

SECTION 2 - Interview of an accused person

Article 145. The Presence of Lawyer During Interview

When an accused person has a lawyer, the investigating judge shall invite the lawyer at least 5 (five) days before the interview takes place. During that period, the lawyer can examine the procedural case file.

An accused person can only be interviewed with the presence of his/her lawyer. However, if the lawyer was properly invited but does not show up on the set date and time, the investigating judge can interview the accused person without the presence of the lawyer. The absence of the lawyer shall be noted in writing in the minute of the accused person’s interview.

In special cases, the investigating judge can interview the accused person without summoning the lawyer if the accused person expressly waives the presence of his/her lawyer. This waiver shall be written in a separate report other than the report on the interview of the accused person and shall be signed by the accused person.

In the case of emergency, the investigating judge can also interview the accused person without the presence of the lawyer. This emergency situation shall be caused by the deadly injury or caused by the fear of losing evidence leads. The type of the emergency shall be written as notation in the report.

The investigating judge can call on an interpreter as provided in Article 144 (Assistance of Interpreter/Translator) of this Code.

CAMBODIA – CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE

BOOK 5 JUDGMENTS

TITLE 1 - Judgment of Court of the First Instance

CHAPTER 2 - APPEARANCE OF THE PARTIES

SECTION 1 - Appearance of the Accused Person

Article 302. Free Appearance of an Accused Person

In case of order for direct hearing, the accused person shall appear by him/herself during the
hearing.

Article 67
Rights of the accused
1. In the determination of any charge, the accused shall be entitled to a public hearing, having regard to the provisions of this Statute, to a fair hearing conducted impartially, and to the following minimum guarantees, in full equality:
(d) Subject to article 63, paragraph 2, to be present at the trial, to conduct the defence in person or through legal assistance of the accused's choosing, to be informed, if the accused does not have legal assistance, of this right and to have legal assistance assigned by the Court in any case where the interests of justice so require, and without payment if the accused lacks sufficient means to pay for it