If you claim trial, you are expected to bring along evidence including witnesses (if any) in support of your defence on the day of the trial. At the end of the trial, the Court will decide whether you are guilty. If the Court finds that you are guilty of the offence, you will be asked if you have …
What happens if you claim trial?
The Court will fix the case for a pre-trial conference. The purpose of the pre-trial conference is to ascertain if a case is ready for trial. At the pre-trial conference, you will be asked on the number of witness you will be calling in support of your defence. Once the case is ready for trial, …
What does Claiming Trial mean?
If you decide to claim trial to the charge, the Court will set aside a date for trial. Your trial may be fixed in another Court on a separate occasion. You may be required to furnish Court bail to ensure your attendance in Court. If you claim trial, this means that you dispute the charge and …
What is a Mitigation Plea?
A mitigation plea is an address by your lawyer to the Court on the date you plead guilty, to assist the Court in choosing an appropriate sentence that justice requires. A mitigation plea states specific reasons for the Court to consider imposing a lighter sentence on you than it normally would. …
What happens after you plead guilty?
Previous convictions: After you have pleaded guilty to the charge and admitted the Statement of Facts, the Prosecutor will tell the Court if you have any previous convictions. You will be asked whether you admit to those convictions. Those convictions may be considered by the Court when sentencing …
What are the consequences of pleading guilty?
When you decide to plead guilty, this means you accept without qualification contained in a document known as the Statement of Facts (SOF) which contain the individual elements and criteria of the charge and describe the facts in relation to how the offence was committed, and that he has committed …