Section 58.—The Court is empowered to issue an order or warrant in accordance with the rules and procedures prescribed by the regulation of the President of the Supreme Court.

Section 59.— The official or Court competent to issue an arrest warrant, search warrant or detention warrant may issue such warrant on its own initiative or upon an application.

Where there is an applicant, the official or Court issuing the warrant must first conduct an inquiry until sufficient grounds for issuing the warrant are established. Such grounds may be derived from information given under oath or from other circumstances.

In cases of urgent necessity, where there is a reasonable ground preventing the applicant from appearing before the Court, the applicant may submit an application to the Court by telephone, fax, electronic media or other appropriate information technology. Where the Court conducts an inquiry and finds reasonable grounds for issuing an arrest warrant or search warrant under Section 59/1, and orders that the warrant be issued, a copy of the warrant shall be sent to the applicant by fax, electronic media or other information technology, in accordance with the rules and procedures prescribed by the regulation of the President of the Supreme Court.

Where a warrant has been issued under paragraph three, the Court shall require the person applying for the warrant to appear before the Court and give evidence under oath without delay. The person’s statement shall be recorded and signed by that person and by the Court issuing the warrant. The signed record shall be kept in the Court file.

If it subsequently appears to the Court that the warrant was issued contrary to the law, the Court may order that the warrant be cancelled or amended. The Court may also order the applicant to correct or remedy any damage caused to the person concerned, as it considers appropriate.

Section 59/1.— Before issuing a warrant, there must be sufficient evidence to provide the Court with reasonable grounds to believe that a cause for issuing the warrant exists under Section 66, Section 69 or Section 71.

The Court’s order issuing the warrant or dismissing the application must specify the reasons for the order.

The filing of the application, the inquiry and the issuance of the order shall be conducted in accordance with the rules and procedures prescribed by the regulation of the President of the Supreme Court.

Section 60.— An arrest warrant, search warrant, detention warrant, imprisonment warrant or release warrant must be made in writing and contain the following particulars:

(1) The place where the warrant is issued;

(2) The day, month and year on which the warrant is issued;

(3) The grounds for issuing the warrant;

(4) The following information:

(A) In the case of an arrest warrant, the name or description of the person to be arrested;

(B) In the case of a detention warrant, imprisonment warrant or release warrant, the name of the person to be detained, imprisoned or released;

(C) In the case of a search warrant, the place to be searched and the name or description of the person, or the description of the property, to be searched for. The date and time of the search and the name and position of the officer conducting the search must also be specified;

(5) The following additional information:

(A) In the case of an arrest warrant, detention warrant or search warrant, the offence or legal proceeding concerned;

(B) In the case of an imprisonment warrant, the offence and the punishment imposed by the judgment;

(C) In the case of a detention warrant or imprisonment warrant, the place where the person will be detained or imprisoned;

(D) In the case of a release warrant, the grounds for the release;

(6) The signature and seal of the Court.

Section 69.—The grounds upon which a search warrant may be issued are as follows:

(1) To discover and seize any article that may be used as evidence in the course of an inquiry, preliminary examination or trial;

(2) To discover and seize any article the possession of which constitutes an offence, which has been unlawfully obtained, or which is reasonably suspected to have been used or intended to be used in committing an offence;

(3) To discover and rescue any person who is wrongfully restrained or confined;

(4) To discover any person against whom an arrest warrant has been issued;

(5) To discover and seize any article in accordance with the judgment or order of a Court, where such discovery or seizure cannot otherwise be effected.

A search warrant for the purpose of finding and arresting a person shall not be issued unless an arrest warrant has also been issued for that person. The official executing the search warrant must possess both the search warrant and the arrest warrant.

The text begins partway through Section 92.

Section 92.—

(4) Where there are reasonable grounds to believe that an article whose possession constitutes an offence, which was obtained through the commission of an offence, which was used or intended to be used in committing an offence, or which may serve as evidence proving the commission of an offence, is concealed in such place, and there are reasonable grounds to believe that any delay in obtaining a search warrant may result in the article being transferred or destroyed;

(5) Where the person to be arrested is present in a private place and the arrest is made under an arrest warrant or under Section 78.

When exercising the power under paragraph (4), the administrative official or police official conducting the search shall provide the occupier of the premises with a copy of the search record, a list of the articles found during the search and a written statement of the grounds authorising the search.

If the occupier is absent, these documents shall be provided to the occupier as soon as reasonably possible. The grounds for the search and its results shall also be reported in writing to a superior officer.

Section 93.— A person shall not be searched in a public place unless the search is conducted by an administrative official or police official who has reasonable grounds to suspect that the person possesses an article intended to be used in committing an offence, obtained through the commission of an offence, or whose possession constitutes an offence.

Section 94.— An administrative official or police official conducting a search in a private place shall require the owner, occupier or keeper of the premises to permit entry and provide every reasonable facility necessary to execute the warrant.

The official shall produce the warrant. Where the search may lawfully be conducted without a warrant, the official shall state their name and official position.

If the person mentioned in the preceding paragraph refuses entry, the official may use force to gain entry. Where necessary, the official may open or break down gates, doors, windows, fences or similar obstructions.

Section 95.— In the case of lost property, the owner or possessor of the property, or that person’s representative, may, where possible, accompany the official during the search.

Section 96.— A search of a private place must be conducted between sunrise and sunset, subject to the following exceptions:

(1) Where a search begins during daylight but has not been completed, it may continue during the night;

(2) In a case of extreme urgency, or where another law specifically authorises it, a search may be conducted at night;

(3) A search for the purpose of arresting a violent person or a person charged with a capital offence may be conducted at night, provided that the Court grants permission in accordance with the rules and procedures prescribed by the regulation of the President of the Supreme Court.

Section 97.— Where a search is conducted under a warrant, only the administrative official named in the warrant or a person acting in that official’s place, an administrative official of at least the third rank, or a police official holding the rank of Police Sub-Lieutenant or higher may lead and execute the search under the warrant.

Section 98.— A search of a private place shall be limited to the person or article intended to be found, subject to the following exceptions:

(1) Where the search concerns unspecified articles, the official conducting the search may seize any article likely to be used as evidence in favour of or against the alleged offender or accused;

(2) The official conducting the search may arrest any other person or seize any other article found in the premises where that person or article is liable to arrest or seizure under another warrant or in the case of a flagrant offence.

Section 99.— In conducting a search, the official shall attempt to avoid causing damage or disorder as far as possible.

Section 100.— Where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a person found at a place where a search is being or is about to be conducted will obstruct the search and render it ineffective, the official conducting the search may place that person in custody or under supervision for as long as necessary to prevent such obstruction.

Where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the person has concealed on their body any article intended to be found, the official conducting the search may have that person searched in accordance with Section 85.

Section 101.— Articles seized during a search shall be wrapped or placed in a container and appropriately sealed or marked.

DIVISION V
EVIDENCE

Section 232.— The accused may not be called as a witness by the prosecutor.

Section 233.— The accused may testify as a witness on their own behalf. Where the accused elects to testify, the Court may take their testimony before that of the other defence witnesses.

If the accused’s testimony incriminates or prejudices another accused person, that other accused person may cross-examine them.

Where the accused testifies as a witness, their testimony may be used as evidence against them. The Court may also admit such testimony as corroborative evidence supporting the prosecutor’s other evidence.

Section 234.— A witness is not required to answer any question that may directly or indirectly incriminate them. Where such a question is asked, the Court shall warn the witness.

Section 235.— During a trial, the Court may, where it considers appropriate, put questions to the prosecutor, the accused or any witness.

Questions shall not be put to the accused merely to remedy defects in the prosecution’s case, except where the accused is testifying as a witness.

Section 236.— During a trial, the Court may order any person other than the accused who is to be called as a witness to leave the courtroom and remain outside until called to testify.

After the witness has testified, the Court may order the witness to remain in the courtroom.

Section 237.— The record of a witness’s testimony given during a preliminary examination or trial shall be read by the Court to the witness in the presence of the accused, except in a case provided for under Section 165, paragraph three.

With the agreement of the parties, the Court may permit the record of testimony given during a preliminary examination to be treated as the witness’s testimony at trial. The witness shall not be required to testify again or may proceed immediately to answer the accused’s cross-examination.

This shall not apply to an offence punishable by a minimum term of imprisonment of five years or by a more severe punishment.

Section 237 bis.— Before a charge is filed before the Court, the Public Prosecutor may apply to the Court for an order that a witness’s testimony be taken promptly where there are reasonable grounds to believe that:

The witness will leave the Kingdom;

The witness has no habitual residence;

The witness resides far from the Court that will try the case;

The witness may be subjected to direct or indirect interference; or

There is another necessary reason that may make it difficult to obtain the witness’s testimony in the future.

The Public Prosecutor may make the application on their own initiative or upon the application of the injured person or the inquiry official. The application shall specify all the acts alleged to have been committed by the alleged offender.

Where the alleged offender has been identified and is being held in the custody of the inquiry official or Public Prosecutor, the Public Prosecutor shall bring the alleged offender before the Court. Where the alleged offender is in the custody of the Court, the Court shall summon them to attend.

Upon receiving the application, the Court shall take the witness’s testimony promptly. The alleged offender may cross-examine the witness personally or appoint counsel to conduct the cross-examination.

Where the alleged offence is one for which the Court is required to appoint counsel, or for which the alleged offender would be entitled to request the appointment of counsel under Section 173, the Court shall ask the alleged offender whether they have counsel before taking the witness’s testimony.

Where the Court is required to appoint counsel and considers that counsel can be appointed in time, it shall appoint counsel and proceed promptly with the taking of the witness’s testimony.

Where counsel cannot be appointed in time, or the alleged offender cannot appoint counsel in time, the Court shall itself examine the witness on behalf of the alleged offender.

The record of the witness’s testimony shall be read to the witness. Where the alleged offender is present before the Court, the record shall also be read in their presence.

If the alleged offender is subsequently charged as the accused in relation to the offence, the testimony may be admitted as evidence at trial.

Where an alleged offender considers that a person whom they may need to call as a witness will leave the Kingdom, has no habitual residence, resides far from the Court that will try the case, may be subjected to direct or indirect interference, or may otherwise be difficult to bring before the Court in the future, the alleged offender may apply to the Court for an order that the witness’s testimony be taken promptly. The application shall state the reasons and necessity for taking the testimony in advance.

Where the Court considers it appropriate, it may order that the witness’s testimony be taken and shall notify the inquiry official and the Public Prosecutor concerned.

The Public Prosecutor may cross-examine the witness. The provisions of paragraphs three, four and five shall apply with the necessary modifications.

Section 172 ter shall apply with the necessary modifications to the taking of testimony from a witness who is under eighteen years of age.

Section 237 ter.— Section 237 bis shall apply with the necessary modifications to the taking of testimony from an expert witness and to the taking of other evidence.

It shall also apply where proceedings have already been instituted but there is a necessary reason to take evidence before the date normally fixed for taking evidence under Section 173/2, paragraph two.

Where scientific evidence may establish a significant fact in the case, or where there are reasonable grounds to believe that delaying the taking of important scientific evidence may result in the evidence being damaged or becoming difficult to examine, the accused or the Public Prosecutor may apply to the Court for an order directing a scientific examination under Section 244/1.

The Public Prosecutor may make the application on their own initiative or upon receiving an application from the inquiry official or the injured person. Section 237 bis shall apply with the necessary modifications.