CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ACT
The purpose of the Criminal Procedure Act, NO 51 OF
1977 (With Amendments) is to regulate procedures
and related matters in criminal proceedings.
South Africans are exposed to some of the most horrific crimes imaginable and one needs to familiarise oneself with
the content of the act in so far as it effects you as a victim of crime. The act deals with a number of aspects, most
notably the following;
•
The role and function of the prosecuting authority
•
Arrest
•
Summons
•
Written notice to appear in court
•
Witnesses
•
Evidence
•
Compensation and restitution
•
The different scheduled offences
Having an understanding of South African Criminal Law is also very helpful as it defines crime. The function of criminal law is
to provide a social mechanism with which to coerce members of society to abstain from conduct that is harmful to the
interest of society
Developed by SQAS-SA
