Criminal Procedures Act, 1965
The principal Act governing criminal procedure in Sierra Leone, from investigation and arrest through trial, sentencing and appeal.
Summary
The Criminal Procedure Act, 1965 is the principal statute governing the procedure of the criminal courts in Sierra Leone. It regulates the process of the criminal justice system from the investigation and charging of offences through to trial, conviction, sentence and appeal.
The Act provides for arrest, bail, search and the laying of charges; the mode of trial for summary and indictable offences; preliminary investigations and committal; the conduct of trials before magistrates and before judge and jury; evidence and procedure at trial; verdicts, judgment and sentencing; and appeals.
It remains a cornerstone of the criminal justice system and is applied alongside the Constitution's fair-trial guarantees and the substantive criminal law.
Main provisions
- Regulates arrest, bail, search and the charging of offences.
- Provides for the mode of trial of summary and indictable offences.
- Provides for preliminary investigation and committal for trial.
- Governs the conduct of trials, including trial by judge and jury.
- Provides for verdicts, judgment, sentencing and appeals.
- Operates alongside the Constitution's fair-trial guarantees.