Part 3ALive links for accused's attendance at certain preliminary and sentencing hearings

57AIntroductory

1

This Part—

a

applies to preliminary hearings and sentencing hearings in the course of proceedings for an offence; and

b

enables the court in the circumstances provided for in sections 57B, 57C and 57E to direct the use of a live link for securing the accused's attendance at a hearing to which this Part applies.

2

The accused is to be treated as present in court when, by virtue of a live link direction under this Part, he attends a hearing through a live link.

3

In this Part—

  • “custody”—

    1. a

      includes local authority accommodation to which a person is remanded or committed by virtue of section 23 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969; but

    2. b

      does not include police detention;

  • “live link” means an arrangement by which a person (when not in the place where the hearing is being held) is able to see and hear, and to be seen and heard by, the court during a hearing (and for this purpose any impairment of eyesight or hearing is to be disregarded);

  • “police detention” has the meaning given by section 118(2) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984;

  • “preliminary hearing” means a hearing in the proceedings held before the start of the trial (within the meaning of subsection (11A) or (11B) of section 22 of the 1985 Act) including, in the case of proceedings in the Crown Court, a preparatory hearing held under—

    1. a

      section 7 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987 (cases of serious or complex fraud); or

    2. b

      section 29 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (other serious, complex or lengthy cases);

  • “sentencing hearing” means any hearing following conviction which is held for the purpose of—

    1. a

      proceedings relating to the giving or rescinding of a direction under section 57E;

    2. b

      proceedings (in a magistrates' court) relating to committal to the Crown Court for sentencing; or

    3. c

      sentencing the offender or determining how the court should deal with him in respect of the offence.