62. Charge to be read or explained to accused before plea

62. Charge to be read or explained to accused before plea

(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Magistrates' Court must ensure that any charge, as set out in the charge-sheet, is read to the accused or its substance is explained to the accused before the accused is asked to plead to the charge.

(2) It is not necessary that a charge be read, or its substance explained, to an accused who is represented by a legal practitioner if the Magistrates' Court considers it appropriate not to do so.