Namibia

Criminal Procedure Act, 2004

CHAPTER 36
REVIEWS AND APPEALS IN CASES OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS

Appeal from magistrate’s court by person convicted

335. (1) A person convicted of an offence by a magistrate’s court (including a person discharged after conviction) may appeal against that conviction and against any resultant sentence or order to the High Court.

(2) An appeal under this section must be noted and be prosecuted within the period and in the manner prescribed by the rules of court, but the High Court in any case may extend that period.

(3) The High Court hearing an appeal under this section has the powers referred to in section 330(2), and, unless the appeal is based solely on a question of law, the High Court has, in addition to those powers, the power to increase any sentence imposed on the appellant or to impose any other form of sentence instead of or in addition to such sentence, but, notwithstanding that the High Court is of the opinion that a point raised might be decided in favour of the appellant, no conviction or sentence may be reversed or altered by reason of an irregularity or defect in the record or proceedings unless it appears to the High Court that a failure of justice has in fact resulted from that irregularity or defect.

(4) When an appeal under this section is noted, sections 333 and 334 apply with the necessary changes in respect of the sentence appealed against.

(5) When the High Court gives a decision on appeal against a decision of the magistrate’s court and the former decision is appealed against, the High Court has the powers in respect of the granting of bail that a magistrate’s court has in terms of section 333.

Keywords

Appeal against decision of acquittal or conviction or against sentence - national proceedings



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