'Rights during trial - unsworn oral or written statement in defence' in document 'Bahamas - Criminal Procedure Code'

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RELEVANT SECTIONS OF THE IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION

CHAPTER 91

PART V
PROVISIONS RELATING TO PRELIMINARY INQUIRIES INCLUDING THE USE OF EXPERT DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE THEREAT AND IN OTHER CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS

118. A magistrate conducting a preliminary inquiry shall, at the commencement of such inquiry, read over and explain to the accused person the charge in respect of which the inquiry is being held and shall explain to the accused person that he will have an opportunity later on in the inquiry, if he so desires, of making a statement or calling witnesses (or both) and shall further explain to the accused person the purpose of the proceedings, namely, to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to put him on his trial before the Supreme Court.

CHAPTER 91

PART V
PROVISIONS RELATING TO PRELIMINARY INQUIRIES INCLUDING THE USE OF EXPERT DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE THEREAT AND IN OTHER CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS

123. (1) If, after the examination of the witnesses called on behalf of the prosecution, the court considers that, on the evidence as it stands, there are sufficient grounds for committing the accused for trial, the magistrate shall satisfy himself that the accused understands the charge and shall ask the accused whether he wishes to make a statement in his defence or not and, if he wishes to make a statement, whether he wishes to make it on oath, or not. The magistrate shall also explain to the accused that he is not bound to make a statement and that his statement, if he makes one, will be part of the evidence at the trial.

CHAPTER 91

PART VIII
PROCEDURE IN TRIALS BEFORE MAGISTRATES' COURTS

204. (1) At the close of the evidence in support of the charge, if it appears to the court that a case is made out against the accused person sufficiently to require him to make a defence, the court shall again explain the substance of the charge to the accused and shall inform him that he has a right to give evidence on oath from the witness box and that, if he does so, he will be liable to cross-examination, or to make a statement not on oath from the dock, in which case he will not be liable to cross- examination; and the court shall ask him whether he has any witnesses to examine or other evidence to adduce in his defence, and shall then hear the accused and his witnesses (if any).

RELEVANT ROME STATUTE PROVISIONS

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:
(h) To make an unsworn oral or written statement in his or her defence