Activity 2.2 - CPA and Charging Documents
Task
The Criminal Procedure Act and Rules together set out what information must be in a charging document. Although Justices do not draft charging documents it is useful to make yourself familiar with the prescribed contents of them.
Access the CPA and the CP Rules from the links below. Find the specific sections and rules that are to do with charging documents. (If you cannot find them then put 'charging' in the search box within the CPA).
- Go to www.justice.govt.nz (Criminal Procedure Act - information for legal professionals). You will find a charging document there in the 'forms and documents' section. Download a copy.
- Using both the Criminal Procedure Act and Rules, study and compare each part of the charging document with the legal requirements. One can assume the charging document will be correct - but note any points of difference, or comments you have.