Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Crimes (Criminal Trials) Act 1999 - SECT 20

Manner of giving evidence

20. Manner of giving evidence



(1) The trial judge may permit a person to give evidence-

   (a)  with the consent of the parties, by the witness reading from the
        witness' statement prepared in advance of giving evidence;

   (b)  where the person is called in his or her capacity as an expert
        witness, by the presentation of audio or audio visual material;

   (c)  by means of playing an audio or audio visual recording;

   (d)  in any other manner that the trial judge considers may be of
        assistance.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) precludes-

   (a)  in the case of paragraph (b) of that subsection, the questioning of an
        expert witness by cross-examination or otherwise before, during or
        after a presentation; or

   (b)  in the case of paragraph (c) of that subsection, if unanticipated
        issues arise during the trial, the trial judge making an order that
        the witness physically appear before the court.

(3) Nothing in this section affects the operation of sections 41G, 42A and 42B
and Part IIA of the Evidence Act 1958.