Stages of Criminal Trials Under Code Of Criminal Procedure 1973

The Code of Criminal Procedure enshrines the laws governing the Stages of Criminal Trials in India. The three types of cases whose procedures will be discussed in this article are as follows:

1. Warrant case

2. Summons case

3. Summary case

The different stages of criminal trial in a Warrant case when instituted by the police report are as follows:

1. First Information Report: Under Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, a FIR or First Information Report is registered. FIR puts the case into motion. A FIR is information given by someone (aggrieved) to the police relating to the commitment of an offense. Stages of Criminal Trials
2. Investigation: The next step after the filing of FIR is the investigation by the investigating officer. A conclusion is made by the investigating officer by examining facts and circumstances, collecting evidence, examining various persons and taking their statements in writing and all the other steps necessary for completing the investigation and then that conclusion is filed to the magistrate as a police report.
3. Charges: If after considering the police report and other important documents the accused is not discharged then the court frames charges under which he is to be trialed. In a warrant case, the charges should be framed in writing.  Stages of Criminal Trials
4. Plea of guilty: Section 241 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 talks about the plea of guilty, after framing of the charges the accused is given an opportunity to plead guilty, and the responsibility lies with the judge to ensure that the plea of guilt was voluntarily made. The judge may upon its discretion convict the accused.
5. Prosecution evidence: After the charges are framed, and the accused pleads guilty, then the court requires the prosecution to produce evidence to prove the guilt of the accused. The prosecution is required to support their evidence with statements from its witnesses. This process is called “examination in chief”. The magistrate has the power to issue summons to any person as a witness or orders him to produce any document.
6. Statement of the accused: Section 313 of the Criminal Procedure Code gives an opportunity to the accused to be heard and explain the facts and circumstances of the case. The statements of accused are not recorded under oath and can be used against him in the trial.
7. Defence evidence: An opportunity is given to the accused in a case where he is not being acquitted to produce so as to defend his case. The defense can produce both oral and documentary evidence. In India, since the burden of proof is on the prosecution the defence, in general, is not required to give any defence evidence.
8. Judgement: The final decision of the court with reasons given in support of the acquittal or conviction of the accused is known as judgement. In case the accused is acquitted, the prosecution is given time to appeal against the order of the court. When the person is convicted, then both sides are invited to give arguments on the punishment which is to be awarded. This is usually done when the person is convicted of an offense whose punishment is life imprisonment or capital punishment. Stages of Criminal Trials

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The different stages of criminal trial in a Warrant case when private complaint institutes case Stages of Criminal Trials

1. On the filing of the complaint, the court will examine the complainant and its witnesses on the same day or any other day to decide whether any offense is made against the accused person or not.
2. After examination of the complainant, the Magistrate may order an inquiry into the matter and submit a report for the same.
3. After examination of the complaint and the investigation report, the court may come to a conclusion whether the complaint is genuine or whether the prosecution has sufficient evidence against the accused or not. If the court does not find any sufficient material through which he can convict the accused, then the court will dismiss the complaint and record its reason for dismissal.
4. After examination of the complaint and the inquiry report, if the court thinks that the prosecution has a genuine case and there are sufficient material and evidence with the prosecution to charge the accused then the Magistrate may issue a warrant or a summon depending on the facts and circumstances.

The different stages of criminal trial in a summon case are given from Section 251 to Section 259 of the Code of Criminal procedure

1. Pre-trial: In the pre-trial stage, the process such as filing of FIR and investigation is conducted.
2. Charges: In summons trials, charges are not framed in writing. The accused appears before the court or is brought before the court then the Magistrate would orally state the facts of the offense, he is answerable.
3. Plea of guilty: The Magistrate after stating the facts of the offense will ask the accused if he pleads guilty or has any defence to support his case. If the accused pleads guilty, the Magistrate records the statement in the words of the accused as far as possible and may convict him on his discretion.
4. Plea of guilty and absence of the accused: In cases, where the accused wants to plead guilty without appearing in the court, the accused is supposed to send Rs.1000/- by post or through a messenger (lawyer) to the Magistrate. The absentee should also send a letter containing an acceptance of guilt and the amount of fine provided in the summons. The Magistrate can on his discretion convict the accused.
5. Prosecution and defence evidence: In summons case, the procedure followed is very simple and elaborate procedures are eliminated. If the accused does not plead guilty, then the process of trial starts. The prosecution and the defence are asked to present evidence in support of their cases. The Magistrate is also empowered to take the statement of the accused.
6. Judgement: When the sentence is pronounced in a summons case, the parties need not argue on the amount of punishment given. The sentence is the sole discretion of the judge. If the accused is acquitted, the prosecution has the right to appeal. This right to appeal is also extended to the accused.

Stages of Criminal Trial in Summary Cases

1. The procedure followed in the summary trial is similar to summons-case.
2. Imprisonment up to three months can be passed.
3. In the judgement of a summary trial, the judge should record the substance of the evidence and a brief statement of the finding of the court with reasons. stages of Criminal Trials

Author: This article was written by Richaa Mukhopadhyay, B.A. LLB(Hons), CS(executive), ALSK, ICSI, student of Amity Law School, Amity University, Kolkata, and she have tried to summarise it in precise manner and basics of procedure of Criminal Trial.

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