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Written question asked by Philip Davies (Conservative) on Thursday, 5 May 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 May 2016. It was answered by Shailesh Vara (Conservative) on Wednesday, 11 May 2016 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.


Criminal Proceedings: Prisoners

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what options are available to a magistrates' court when an unrepresented serving prisoner refuses to leave their prison cell to face new either-way offence charges.

Answer

Where a magistrates’ court is dealing with a new offence which is triable either-way, and the defendant is an unrepresented serving prisoner who does not attend either in person or through a live link, the court will need to adjourn the case. This will enable either the defendant to attend, or the Crown Prosecution Service to consider alternative procedural routes.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
36693
Session
2015-16
Subjects
Criminal proceedings Prisoners
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk