CHARTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ACT 2006 - SECT 25 Rights in criminal proceedings

CHARTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ACT 2006 - SECT 25

    (1)     A person charged with a criminal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law.

    (2)     A person charged with a criminal offence is entitled without discrimination to the following minimum guarantees—

S. 25(2)(a) amended by No. 20/2022 s. 19(1)(a).

        (a)     to be informed promptly and in detail of the nature and reason for the charge in a language or, if necessary, a type of communication that that person speaks or understands; and

S. 25(2)(b) amended by No. 20/2022 s. 19(1)(b).

        (b)     to have adequate time and facilities to prepare their defence and to communicate with a lawyer or advisor chosen by that person; and

        (c)     to be tried without unreasonable delay; and

S. 25(2)(d) amended by No. 20/2022 s. 19(1)(c).

        (d)     to be tried in person, and to defend themselves personally or through legal assistance chosen by that person or, if eligible, through legal aid provided by Victoria Legal Aid under the Legal Aid Act 1978 ; and

S. 25(2)(e) amended by No. 20/2022 s. 19(1)(a).

        (e)     to be told, if that person does not have legal assistance, about the right, if eligible, to legal aid under the Legal Aid Act 1978 ; and

S. 25(2)(f) amended by No. 20/2022 s. 19(1)(d).

        (f)     to have legal aid provided if the interests of justice require it, without any costs payable by that person if the person meets the eligibility criteria set out in the Legal Aid Act 1978 ; and

S. 25(2)(g) amended by No. 20/2022 s. 19(1)(e).

        (g)     to examine, or have examined, witnesses against that person, unless otherwise provided for by law; and

S. 25(2)(h) amended by No. 20/2022 s. 19(1)(f).

        (h)     to obtain the attendance and examination of witnesses on that person's behalf under the same conditions as witnesses for the prosecution; and

S. 25(2)(i) amended by No. 20/2022 s. 19(1)(a).

              (i)     to have the free assistance of an interpreter if that person cannot understand or speak English; and

S. 25(2)(j) amended by No. 20/2022 s. 19(1)(a).

        (j)     to have the free assistance of assistants and specialised communication tools and technology if that person has communication or speech difficulties that require such assistance; and

S. 25(2)(k) amended by No. 20/2022 s. 19(1)(g).

        (k)     not to be compelled to testify against themselves or to confess guilt.

S. 25(3) amended by No. 20/2022 s. 19(2).

    (3)     A child charged with a criminal offence has the right to a procedure that takes account of that child's age and the desirability of promoting the child's rehabilitation.

    (4)     Any person convicted of a criminal offence has the right to have the conviction and any sentence imposed in respect of it reviewed by a higher court in accordance with law.

S. 26 amended by No. 20/2022 s. 20.