CHAPTER I - PROTECTION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
8.- (2) Every person who is charged with a criminal offence -
a. shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proved or has pleaded guilty ;
b. shall be informed as soon as reasonably practicable, in a language that he understands and in detail, of the nature of the offence charged ;
c. shall be given adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defence ;
d. shall be permitted to defend himself before the court in person or, at his own expense, by a legal representative of his own choice ;
e. shall be afforded facilities to examine in person or by his legal representative the witnesses called by the prosecution before the court, and to obtain the attendance and carry out the examination of witnesses to testify on his behalf before the court on the same conditions as those applying to witnesses called by the prosecution ; and
f. shall be permitted to have without payment the assistance of an interpreter if he cannot understand the language used at the trial of the charge ,
and except with his own consent the trial shall not take place in his absence unless he so conducts himself as to render the continuance of the proceedings in his presence impracticable and the court has ordered him to be removed and the trial to proceed in his absence :
Provided that, in such circumstances as may be prescribed by law, the trial may take place in the absence of the person charged so long as no punishment of death or imprisonment (other than imprisonment in default of payment of a fine) is awarded in the event of his conviction.
EDIT.