291 Precognition on oath of defence witnesses.S
(1)The sheriff may, on the application of an accused, grant warrant to cite any person (other than a co-accused), who is alleged to be a witness in relation to any offence of which the accused has been charged, to appear before the sheriff in chambers at such time or place as shall be specified in the citation, for precognition on oath by the accused or his solicitor in relation to that offence, if the court is satisfied that it is reasonable to require such precognition on oath in the circumstances.
(2)Any person who, having been duly cited to attend for precognition under subsection (1) above and having been given at least 48 hours notice, fails without reasonable excuse to attend shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 21 days; and the court may issue a warrant for the apprehension of the person concerned, ordering him to be brought before a sheriff for precognition on oath.
(3)Any person who, having been duly cited to attend for precognition under subsection (1) above, attends but—
(a)refuses to give information within his knowledge or to produce evidence in his possession; or
(b)prevaricates in his evidence,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to be summarily subjected forthwith to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 21 days.
[F1(4)This section does not, however, extend to the citation of the complainer for precognition by the accused in person.
(5)In subsection (4) above, “complainer” has the same meaning as in section 274 of this Act.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 291(4)(5) inserted (1.11.2002) by Sexual Offences (Procedure and Evidence) (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 9), s. 4; S.S.I. 2002/443, art. 3