Where the accused pleads not guilty

The court clerk will read the charge(s) to the accused. The accused will reply ‘not guilty’ and the prosecution will make an opening speech. The prosecution put their evidence to the court, this can be done in a number of ways by either:

• calling witnesses to give oral evidence through examination-in-chief, cross examination by the defence and where appropriate re-examination by the prosecution; or

• tendering statements made under s 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967; or

• tendering statements or documentary evidence under ss 23 and 24 Criminal Justice Act 1988.