Western Australian Numbered Acts

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ACT 2004 (NO. 71 OF 2004) - SECT 144

144 .         Accused’s entitlement to defend charges

        (1)         In the trial of a charge, the accused is entitled to defend the charge and to cross-examine any witness called by the prosecutor and to call, examine and re-examine any witness.

        (2)         The entitlements in subsection (1) are subject to the powers of the court in the Evidence Act 1906 to control the questioning of witnesses.

        (3)         After the close of the prosecutor’s case the court must ask the accused if the accused intends to give or adduce any evidence.

        (4)         If the accused intends to give evidence as a witness, he or she must give evidence before any other witness is called by the accused, unless the court permits otherwise for a good reason.