Part I Criminal Jurisdiction and Procedure
Jurisdiction to issue process and deal with charges
1 Issue of summons to accused or warrant for his arrest.
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On an information being laid before a justice of the peace that a person has, or is suspected of having, committed an offence, the justice may issue—
a
a summons directed to that person requiring him to appear before a magistrates' court to answer the information, or
b
a warrant to arrest that person and bring him before a magistrates' court.
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3
No warrant shall be issued under this section unless the information is in writing F3. . . .
4
No warrant shall be issued under this section for the arrest of any person who has attained F4 the age of 18 years unless—
a
the offence to which the warrant relates is an indictable offence or is punishable with imprisonment, or
b
the person’s address is not sufficiently established for a summons to be served on him.
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6
Where the offence charged is an indictable offence, a warrant under this section may be issued at any time notwithstanding that a summons has previously been issued.
7
A justice of the peace may issue a summons or warrant under this section upon an information being laid before him notwithstanding any enactment requiring the information to be laid before two or more justices.
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