Basic Legal Knowledge
Procedures during criminal hearings
Juvenile Court
Arresting procedure, my rights and obligations
Free or subsidized legal assistance
Protection for victims
Punishment and sentencing options
Criminal records and the Rehabilitation of Offenders Ordinance
Video recorded evidence
According to section 79C of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance (Cap.221), the court may allow for a video recording of the child (other than the defendant) to be played in court as part of the evidence. There is therefore no need for the prosecutor to examine the child witness in chief if the evidence is already covered in the video recording.
For the purposes of video recorded evidence, a “child” is defined as under 17 years of age when the video was made and under 18 years of age at the time when the video is given in evidence for cases concerning an offence of sexual abuse. For offences other than sexual abuse, a “child” is defined as under 14 years of age when the video was made and under 15 years of age at the time when the video is given in evidence.
The child witness will still be subject to the cross examination by the Defence, however this may be done by way of live television link (see below).