'Rights during trial - counsel of accused's choosing' in document 'Namibia - Criminal Procedure Act'

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RELEVANT SECTIONS OF THE IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION

CHAPTER 3
LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF ACCUSED AND OF VICTIM IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS

Legal representation of accused

17. Pursuant to Article 12(1)(e) of the Namibian Constitution, an accused has the right to be represented by a legal practitioner of his or her choice before the commencement of and during his or her trial in any criminal proceedings.

CHAPTER 5
QUESTIONING OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN CONNECTION WITH CRIME, ASCERTAINMENT OF BODILY FEATURES OF ACCUSED AND VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT

Power and duty of police to question certain persons in connection with crime, and warning explanations to be given in respect thereof

37. (2) A member of the police conducting an investigation under subsection (1) must, before questioning a person reasonably suspected of having committed an offence, give a warning explanation substantially in the following form to that person :

(f) that the person to be questioned has the right to consult a legal practitioner of his or her own choice before deciding whether or not to remain silent or to answer questions or give an explanation of his or her conduct or defence and that the legal practitioner is entitled to be present during the questioning ;

CHAPTER 13
ASSISTANCE TO ACCUSED

Accused entitled to assistance after arrest and at criminal proceedings

80. (1) An accused who is arrested, whether with or without warrant, is, subject to any law relating to the management of prisons, entitled to the assistance of his or her own legal practitioner as from the time of his or her arrest.

(2) An accused is, as contemplated in section 17, entitled to be defended by a legal practitioner of his or her choice at criminal proceedings.

(3) An accused who is under the age of 18 years may be assisted by his or her parent or guardian at criminal proceedings, and any accused who, in the opinion of the court, requires the assistance of another person at criminal proceedings, may, with the permission of the court, be so assisted at such proceedings.

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:
(b) To have adequate time and facilities for the preparation of the defence and to communicate freely with counsel of the accused's choosing in confidence