CRIMINAL PROCEDURE BENCH BOOK February 2018 Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................. xi FOREWORD ................................................................................................ xiii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................... xv USER GUIDE ............................................................................................... xvi CHAPTER ONE: PRINCIPLES UNDERPINNING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM .......... 1 I. Introduction .............................................................................................. 2 II. The Constitutional Framework for State Organs ...................................... 3 III. Equality and Dignity ................................................................................. 3 IV. Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Groups .................................................... 4 V. Freedom from Torture, Cruel, Inhuman, and Degrading Treatment ........ 5 VI. Privacy ...................................................................................................... 5 VII. The Constitution and the Judicial Process Generally ............................... 6 Independence of the Judiciary: The Institution and the Court .................. 6 Expeditious Trial ...................................................................................... 6 Undue Regard for Technicalities .............................................................. 6 Transparency and Accountability ............................................................. 7 Promotion of Alternative Forms of Dispute Resolution ........................... 7 VIII. Constitutional Rights Related to the Criminal Process ............................. 9 IX. Rights of an Arrested Person .................................................................... 9 Right to Information ............................................................................... 10 Right to Remain Silent ........................................................................... 10 Right to an Advocate and Communication with Others ......................... 10 Criminal Procedure Bench Book i Right not to be Compelled to Make a Confession or Admission ........... 10 Right to be Separated from Convicted Prisoners .................................... 10 Right to Appear in Court within Twenty-Four Hours ............................. 11 Right to Bail ............................................................................................ 11 X. Rights of an Accused Person .................................................................. 12 Right to be Presumed Innocent ............................................................... 12 Rights Connected with Preparation of Defence ...................................... 12 Right to Public Trial ............................................................................... 13 Right to an Expeditious Trial .................................................................. 13 Right to be Present .................................................................................. 13 Right to an Advocate .............................................................................. 13 Right to Remain Silent............................................................................ 14 Rights to Evidence .................................................................................. 14 Right not to Incriminate Oneself ............................................................ 14 Right to an Interpreter ............................................................................. 15 The Principle of Legality ........................................................................ 15 Right to Protection from Double Jeopardy ............................................. 15 Right to the Least Severe Punishment .................................................... 16 Right to Court Records ........................................................................... 16 XI. Rights of a Convicted Person ................................................................. 16 Right to Court Records ........................................................................... 16 Right to Appeal or Review ..................................................................... 16 Right to Apply for a New Trial ............................................................... 17 CHAPTER TWO: PRELIMINARY ISSUES ............................................................................. 18 ii Criminal Procedure Bench Book I. Jurisdiction of Courts in Criminal Matters ............................................... 19 Magistrates’ Courts ................................................................................. 19 The High Court ....................................................................................... 20 The Court of Appeal ............................................................................... 21 The Supreme Court of Kenya ................................................................. 22 II. Jurisdiction .............................................................................................. 22 III. Transfer of Cases .................................................................................... 23 Transfer of Cases between Magistrates .................................................. 23 Transfer of Cases by the High Court ...................................................... 23 IV. Procedures before Presentation in Court (Pre-arraignment) ................... 24 Arrest ...................................................................................................... 24 Detention Beyond Twenty-Four Hours ................................................... 25 Children in Custody ................................................................................ 25 Persons with Disabilities......................................................................... 26 Charge Sheet and Information ................................................................ 27 Joinder of Counts .................................................................................... 27 Multiple Capital Charges and/or Capital Charges Together with Non-Capital Charges .............................................................................. 29 Joinder of Accused Persons .................................................................... 29 Objection against a Charge or Information ............................................. 31 Amendments and Substitution of the Charge ......................................... 31 V. First Court Appearance ........................................................................... 33 Legal Assistance ..................................................................................... 33 Interpreter ............................................................................................... 35 Well-being of the Accused Person ......................................................... 37 VI. The Plea .................................................................................................. 37 iii Criminal Procedure Bench Book Procedure on Taking Plea ....................................................................... 38 Plea of Guilty .......................................................................................... 39 Plea of Not Guilty ................................................................................... 41 Plea Bargaining ............................................................................................ 42 Procedure for Persons of Unsound Mind ................................................ 44 Plea of Autrefois Acquitor Autrefois Convict ........................................ 45 Change of Plea ........................................................................................ 46 Disposal of Exhibits after Plea ............................................................... 46 VII. Release on Bail or Bond Pending Trial .................................................. 47 Compelling Reasons ............................................................................... 48 Bail in Minor Offences ........................................................................... 51 Bail Considerations for Children ............................................................ 52 Sureties and Securities ............................................................................ 53 CHAPTER THREE: THE TRIAL PROCESS GENERAL MATTERS RELATINGTOTRIAL ........................................ 55 I. Public Trial ............................................................................................. 56 II. Attendance of Parties .............................................................................. 58 Attendance of the Accused Person ......................................................... 58 The Complainant’s Attendance .............................................................. 59 III. Expeditious Conduct of Trial.................................................................. 60 IV. Adjournment of Hearing ......................................................................... 62 Mention of Cases .................................................................................... 64 Part-heard Cases ..................................................................................... 64 V. Termination of Cases .............................................................................