Summary Proceedings Act 1957

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Reprint as at 1 June 2010

Summary Proceedings Act 1957

Public Act1957 No 87
Date of assent24 October 1957

Note

Changes authorised by section 17C of the Acts and Regulations Publication Act 1989 have been made in this eprint.

A general outline of these changes is set out in the notes at the end of this eprint, together with other explanatory material about this eprint.

This Act is administered in the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Courts.


Contents

Title

1 Short Title and commencement

2 Interpretation

3 Application of certain provisions of Crimes Act 1961

Part 1
Criminal jurisdiction of District Court

4 Summary criminal jurisdiction of Court

5 Jurisdiction in relation to committal for indictable offences

6 Summary jurisdiction in respect of indictable offences

7 Maximum penalty on summary conviction for indictable offence

8 Other jurisdictions and powers not affected

9 Jurisdiction of District Court Judges in respect of summary offences

9A Jurisdiction of Justices in respect of summary offences

9B Jurisdiction of Community Magistrates in respect of summary offences

9C Jurisdiction of Community Magistrates to impose sentences in respect of certain summary offences

9D Power to impose penalties provided for in Land Transport Act 1998

9E Ancillary powers under Criminal Justice Act 1985, Sentencing Act 2002, and Land Transport Act 1998

9F Power of Community Magistrates to decline jurisdiction

9G Power to transfer matter to Court presided over by District Court Judge

10 Jurisdiction in respect of fugitive offenders [Repealed]

Part 2
Procedure where defendant proceeded against summarily

11 Application of this Part

12 Commencement of proceedings

Information

13 Any person may lay an information

14 Time for laying information

15 Information to be in prescribed form and upon oath

16 Information to be for one offence only

17 Information to contain sufficient particulars

17A Certain informations to disclose range of penalties

18 Information to be filed in nearest Court

Summons and warrant

19 Issue of summons to or warrant to arrest defendant

19A Summons following arrest

19B Summons following evidential breath test

20 Issue of summons or warrant for attendance of witness

20A Summary procedure for minor offences

21 Summary procedure for infringement offences

21A Evidence of particulars of reminder notice deemed to have been filed in Court by electronic means

22 To whom warrant to be directed and power of person executing warrant to enter premises

23 Withdrawal of warrant

Service of documents

24 Mode of service of documents on defendant

25 Who may serve documents on defendant

26 Mode of service of documents on person other than defendant

27 Who may serve documents on person other than defendant

28 Mode of service in particular cases

29 Proof of service

30 Translation of documents into Maori language

Special provisions for taking evidence

31 Order for taking evidence of defence witness at a distance

32 Order for taking evidence of person about to leave country

33 Admission in summary proceedings of statement of person dangerously ill taken for purposes of trial of indictable offence

General provisions as to hearing

34 Place of hearing of information

35 Power to clear Court and forbid report of proceedings [Repealed]

36 Withdrawal of information by informant

37 Who may conduct proceedings

38 Court may issue warrant for appearance of witness

39 Witness refusing to give evidence may be imprisoned

40 Witnesses at the hearing

41 Right to plead guilty by notice to Registrar

41A Registrar may receive not guilty pleas

42 Plea of guilty may be withdrawn by leave of Court

43 Amendment of information where defendant appears

43A Amendment of information to correct particulars of defendant

44 Power of Court to decline summary jurisdiction

44A Power of Court to decline summary jurisdiction in case of certain summary offences

Adjournments and bail

45 Power to adjourn

45A Power of Registrar to adjourn

46 Dealing with defendant on adjournment

46A Registrar may prohibit publication of names

46AB Application of section 45 during epidemic [Repealed]

46AC Application of section 46 during epidemic

47 Warrant for detention of defendant remanded in custody

48 Defendant, if bailable as of right, to be brought before Court on request [Repealed]

49 Conditions of bail [Repealed]

49A Variation of conditions of bail [Repealed]

50 Release of defendant granted bail [Repealed]

50A Variation of conditions of bail [Repealed]

51 Defendant may be admitted to bail by constable in certain cases [Repealed]

52 Mode of taking bail bond by constable [Repealed]

53 Defendant on bail may be arrested without warrant in certain circumstances [Repealed]

54 Failure to answer bail [Repealed]

55 Arrest of defendant who does not attend hearing [Repealed]

56 Effect on bond of attendance or non-attendance of person bailed by constable [Repealed]

57 Certification of non-performance of condition of bail bond [Repealed]

58 Estreat of bail bond [Repealed]

59 Defendant in custody may be brought up before expiry of period of adjournment

Procedure at hearing

60 Evidence to be given on oath [Repealed]

61 Powers of Court when defendant does not appear

61A Powers of Registrar to adjourn hearing or issue warrant to arrest defendant

62 Powers of Court when informant does not appear

63 Powers of Court when neither party appears

64 Dismissal for want of prosecution not to operate as bar to other proceedings

65 Court to proceed when both parties appear

66 Defendant's right to elect trial by jury where offence punishable by more than 3 months' imprisonment

66A Registrar may receive elections

67 Conduct of hearing

67A Identification evidence

68 Decision of Court

69 Procedure where defendant liable to greater penalty because of previous convictions

69AA Further provisions relating to previous convictions

69A Proof of previous convictions

70 Order for restitution of stolen property or payment of its value [Repealed]

71 Criminal Records

Costs and witnesses' expenses

72 Costs [Repealed]

73 Witnesses' expenses

Complaints

74 Provisions of this Part to apply to complaints

Rehearings

75 District Court Judge or Justice or Registrar or Community Magistrate may grant a rehearing

Miscellaneous

76 Proceedings against parties to offences

77 Power of the Court to amend defective sentences

77A Stay of proceedings

78 Court may state case for opinion of High Court

78A Conviction not to be recorded for infringement offences

78B Power to correct irregularities in proceedings for infringement offences

Part 3
Enforcement of fines

79 Interpretation

80 Fines generally payable within 28 days

81 Time to pay or payment by instalments

82 Statement of means

83 Order for immediate payment of fine

84 Notice of fine

85 Final notice of fine

86 Extension of time to pay

86A Bailiff may arrange extension of time to pay

86B Registrar may vary, suspend, or cancel arrangement for extension of time to pay fine or attachment order

87 Action where fine not paid or where arrangement or attachment order cancelled

87AA Power to obtain information in respect of beneficiaries

87A Publication of name of fines defaulter

87B Deduction of fines

87C Revocation of deduction notices

87D Fine to be treated as being paid

87E Deduction notices issued on banks

87F Meaning of certain terms relating to banks

87G Offences in relation to deduction notices

87H Variation or discharge of deduction notices

87I Penalty for late deductions

87J Giving of notices

88 Action where fine remains unpaid

88A Charging orders

88B Remission of fine

89 Rights of representation and appeal

90 Scale of imprisonment for non-payment of fine

91 Defendant on substituted sentence to be discharged on payment of fine

92 Effect of warrant of commitment

93 Warrant to seize property

93A Seizure and disposal of motor vehicles: application of sections 100A to 100Y instead of sections 94 to 100

94 Seizure and delivery of property

94A Personal property securities register to be checked [Repealed]

94B Immobilisation of motor vehicles [Repealed]

95 Sale of property seized

96 Claims to property seized

97 Procedure where property seized subject to hire purchase agreement, bill of sale, etc

98 Application of proceeds of sale

99 Compensation to third party with interest in property sold

100 Return of property on payment of fine

Seizure, release, and sale of motor vehicles

100A Interpretation

100B Purpose of sections 100C to 100Y

100C Written caution to person holding interest in motor vehicle

100D Review of written caution

100E Written caution of no effect if fine quashed or set aside

100F Seizure of motor vehicles

100G Seizure of motor vehicles impounded under Land Transport Act 1998

100H Seizure not precluded by low value or low interest

100I Seized motor vehicle to be retained by or for Registrar

100J Immobilisation of motor vehicles

100K Personal property securities register to be checked

100L Release of vehicles if fine and other costs paid or if certain appeals successful

100M Sale of motor vehicle seized

100N Registrar must defer sale if storage costs paid

100O Application of proceeds of sale

100P Remission of fine and costs of sale in certain cases

100Q Release of motor vehicle to certain owners

100R Challenge of seizure by persons treated as substitutes

100S Determination of claim by owners

100T Lessor under leasing agreement may apply to Registrar

100U Claims by creditors

100V Certain payments required before release to lessor or creditor takes effect

100W Application of proceeds of sale by creditor

100X Failure by creditor to sell or account for proceeds

100Y Compensation to person with interest in motor vehicle sold

101 Offence to interfere with or rescue property seized

102 Protection of Registrar, Bailiff, etc

102A Resisting or obstructing Bailiffs

102B Proceedings against Bailiffs acting under warrants

103 Effect of attachment order

104 Attachment order to be served on employer

104A Power to obtain information in respect of employers

105 Operation of attachment order

106 Liability of employer

106A Wrongful treatment of employee

106B Extent to which attachment orders bind the Crown

106C Statement of salary or wages paid

106D Transfer of enforcement to another District Court

106E Restrictions on alternative sentences

106F Review of Registrar's decision

Part 4
Appeals

Appeals on points of law only by way of case stated

107 Appeal on question of law only by way of case stated

108 No appeal on ground of improper admission or rejection of evidence

109 District Court Judge or Justice may refuse a case if he thinks appeal frivolous

110 Certiorari not to be required when appeal upon case stated

111 Case may be sent back for amendment

112 High Court to determine the questions on the case

113 Appeal on point of law may be removed into Court of Appeal

114 Defendant appealing by way of case stated not allowed to appeal otherwise

114A Appeals from decisions of Community Magistrates

114B Appeal to High Court on question of law

General appeals

115 Defendant's general right of appeal to High Court

115A Informant's right of appeal against sentence

115B Right of appeal against sentence for contempt of Court

115C Right of appeal against decisions relating to publication of reports of proceedings or identifying particulars

115D Rights of appeal against decisions relating to bail [Repealed]

115DA Right of appeal against order for costs

115DB Rights of appeal subject to Crimes Act 1961

115E Procedural provisions applying to appeals under section 115D [Repealed]

116 Notice of appeal

117 Transmission of notice of appeal to High Court

118 Setting down appeal for hearing

119 Procedure on appeal

120 Defects in notice of appeal

121 High Court to hear and determine appeal

122 Power to clear Court and forbid report of proceedings [Repealed]

Provisions relating to all appeals

123 Powers of Judge of High Court as to extension of time

124 Provisions as to issue of warrant pending appeal

125 Granting of bail to appellant who is in custody [Repealed]

126 Arrest of appellant who has absconded or is about to abscond while on bail [Repealed]

127 Custody of appellant pending appeal [Repealed]

128 Surrender of appellant released on bail and discharge of surety [Repealed]

129 Abandonment of appeal

130 Presentation of case by party in custody

131 Power of High Court to direct rehearing of information or complaint

132 Amendment of conviction by substituting one offence for another

133 Dismissal of appeal for non-prosecution

134 Registrar to certify decision on appeal

135 Execution of decision of High Court

136 Custody of person after determination of appeal

137 Resumption of sentence or order on determination of appeal

137A Provisions on determination of appeal where defendant sentenced to periodic detention [Repealed]

137B Provisions on determination of appeal where defendant sentenced to community service [Repealed]

137C Provisions on determination of appeal where defendant sentenced to community care [Repealed]

137D Provisions on determination of appeal where non-association order made in respect of defendant [Repealed]

138 Revesting and restitution of property on conviction

139 Estreat of bail bond where determination appealed against [Repealed]

140 Orders as to costs [Repealed]

141 Party giving notice of appeal and not prosecuting same may be ordered to pay costs [Repealed]

142 Enforcement of order as to costs [Repealed]

143 No Court fees payable on appeal by person sentenced to detention

Appeal to Court of Appeal

144 Appeal to Court of Appeal

144A Appeal to Supreme Court

144B Powers of Court of Appeal and Supreme Court on appeal

Part 5
Committal proceedings for indictable offences

145 Purpose and overview

146 Interpretation

Commencement of proceedings under this Part

147 Proceedings under this Part

Information, summons, and warrant

148 Application of provisions of Part 2

149 Notice to defendant

150 Issue of summons or warrant

151 Issue of warrant if defendant does not attend

152 Defect in form or variance between charge and evidence

152A Power of Registrar to adjourn [Repealed]

Service of documents

153 Service of summons on defendant

153A Defendant may plead guilty before or during preliminary hearing [Repealed]

154 Application of provisions of Part 2

Adjournments and bail

155 Power to adjourn

156 Power of Registrar to adjourn

157 Application of section 46

Withdrawal of information and stay of proceedings

158 Withdrawal of information by prosecutor

159 Stay of proceedings

Plea of guilty before committal

160 Defendant may plead guilty before committal

160A Committal without consideration of evidence [Repealed]

161 Procedure if defendant makes request under section 160

161A Application for leave to question undercover police officer's identity to be removed into High Court [Repealed]

Formal written statements for purposes of committal

162 Formal written statements

163 False statement in formal written statement deemed to be perjury

Special provisions for taking evidence

164 Power to take statement of person dangerously ill

165 Evidence of statement made by person dangerously ill

166 Provision for person in custody to be present at taking of statement

Preliminary provisions applicable to committal

167 Place of committal

168 Obligations of prosecutor to file formal written statements within certain period

168A Court to which defendant to be committed [Repealed]

168AA High Court Judge to determine Court of trial in certain cases [Repealed]

168AB Notice of transfer of case to District Court [Repealed]

168B Defendant to be warned as to law relating to notice of alibi [Repealed]

168C Defendant to be advised of his right to apply for trial before a Judge without a jury [Repealed]

169 Standard committal is not hearing and does not involve prosecutor's or defendant's presence

170 Defendant's entitlement to be present during hearings

171 Charge to be read to defendant in certain circumstances

172 Amendment of information

173 Persons who may give evidence under assumed name

173A Written statements [Repealed]

174 No comment may be made on defendant refraining from answering charge

175 When formal written statement or record of oral evidence in other proceedings may be admitted as evidence at committal hearing or for purposes of standard committal

176 Defendant must disclose evidence to be provided at committal hearing

Timing and procedure at standard committal

177 Timing and procedure at standard committal

Oral evidence orders

178 Application for oral evidence order

178A Persons who may sign statements by assumed name [Repealed]

179 Application for leave to question undercover police officer's identity must be removed into High Court

180 Determination of application for oral evidence order

181 Judge may make oral evidence order of own motion

182 Oral evidence of witness who resides at distance, is ill, or is departing New Zealand may be taken at any Court

When committal hearing must be held

183 Committal hearing required if oral evidence order applies

Procedure at committal hearing

184 Application of provisions of Part 2

184A Procedure at committal hearing

184B No oral evidence without order

184C Court may direct that formal written statements be read aloud

184D Oral evidence must be recorded in writing

184E Committal hearing may be completed despite witness's failure to appear or give evidence

Determination at committal hearing

184F If evidence insufficient, defendant must be discharged

184G If evidence sufficient, defendant must be committed for trial

Powers of Court if defendant seeks to provide undisclosed evidence at committal hearing

184H Powers of Court if defendant seeks to provide evidence at committal hearing that was not disclosed as required by section 176

Committal for trial or sentence

184I Advice must be given to defendant on committal following committal hearing

Procedure if defendant pleads guilty

184J Procedure if defendant pleads guilty

184K If defendant pleads guilty, no objection may be taken and plea must not be withdrawn without leave

184L Defendant committed for sentence must be brought before High Court

Procedure if defendant does not plead guilty

184M Procedure if standard committal occurs or defendant does not plead guilty

184N Court to which defendant must be committed

184O Court to which defendant must be committed if related charge must be heard in High Court

184P Committal to wrong Court

184Q High Court Judge must determine trial Court in certain cases

184R Notice of transfer of case to District Court

184S Defendant must be advised of right to apply for trial before Judge without jury

Procedure after committal for trial or sentence

184T Dealing with defendant committed for trial or for sentence

184U Evidence of witness taken after defendant committed for trial

184V Notice to witnesses to attend at trial Court

184W On committal, documents, etc, must be sent to trial Court or sentencing Court

184X Every party entitled to records of oral evidence or summary of facts

184Y When formal written statement or record of oral evidence may be read in evidence at trial

185 Witness about to leave New Zealand may be arrested

Part 5A
Special provisions relating to standard committal process and committal hearings in cases of sexual nature

185A Application

185B Certain hearings to be conducted by Judge

185C Evidence of complainant

185CA Child complainant's evidence may be given by videotape [Repealed]

185D Child complainant's evidence may be given by video record

185E Power of Court to prohibit publication of certain details

185F Other powers of Court preserved

Part 6
Conservation of the peace

Sureties of the peace

186 Application for order for bond to keep the peace

187 Making of order for bond

188 Making of order for bond where person charged with offence

189 Refusal to enter into bond

190 Persons imprisoned in default of finding sureties may be released on death of person for whose protection order made

191 Estreat of bond

Special constables

192 Appointment and powers of special constables [Repealed]

Part 7
Protection of Justices and Community Magistrates

193 No action against Justice unless act in excess of jurisdiction or without jurisdiction

194 No action against Justice or Community Magistrate to be brought in District Court

195 Onus of proof

196 Plaintiff may be ordered to give security for costs

196A Indemnity to District Court Judge [Repealed]

197 Indemnity to Justice or Community Magistrate

Part 8
General provisions

Search

198 Search warrants

198A Procedure where certain documents seized from solicitors' offices

198B Person with knowledge of computer or computer network to assist access

199 Disposal of things seized

200 Other enactments as to search warrants not affected

Tracking devices

200A Interpretation

200B Application for tracking device warrant

200C Issue of tracking device warrant

200D Effect of tracking device warrant

200E Expiry of warrant

200F Renewal of warrant

200G Use of tracking device without warrant

200H Reports

200I Warrant for removal of tracking device

200J Agencies to give information to Parliament

200K Security of applications for tracking device warrants

200L Restriction on production of documents relating to application

200M Application for production of documents

200N Request for production made in course of proceedings

200O Application referred to Judge

200P Judges entitled to inspect relevant documents

Miscellaneous

201 Amendment of conviction, order, or warrant

202 Who may take affidavit

203 Acts not generally to be done on Sunday

204 Proceedings not to be questioned for want of form

205 Proceedings not invalid because defendant should have been dealt with in Youth Court

206 Contempt of Court

207 Payment and recovery of fees

208 Payment of money to department

209 Act not to apply to Youth Court unless provided

210 Saving of provisions of Customs Act 1913 [Repealed]

211 Rules for proceedings on appeal

212 Rules and regulations

213 Consequential amendments

214 Repeals and savings

Schedule 1
Indictable offences triable summarily by District Court Judges

Schedule 2
Forms of information

Schedule 2A
Modifications of Part 4 where appeal is from District Court presided over by Community Magistrate or Community Magistrates to District Court presided over by District Court Judge

Schedule 3
Enactments amended

Schedule 4
Enactments repealed

Summary Proceedings Amendment Act (No 2) 2008

Summary Proceedings (Vehicle Seizure) Amendment Act 2009

Reprint notes


An Act to consolidate and amend certain enactments of the General Assembly relating to summary criminal proceedings in District Courts

  • In the Long Title the word summary was inserted by section 2 Summary Proceedings Amendment Act 1980 (1980 No 84).

BE IT ENACTED by the General Assembly of New Zealand in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows: