1. Open justice can be equated with the concept that justice must be “seen to be done”. .( True)
2. Open justice is protected by the right to a fair trial and is an absolute right. ( False)
3. The court cannot exclude any member of the public from the trial of an adult accused. ( False)
4. In cases where a witness for the state is about to abscond, the prosecutor may apply for a warrant
of arrest and have the said witness detained pending the trial. ( True)
5. Co-accused are ordered numerically. ( True)
6. The prosecution decides the numerical order of co-accused at a trial. ( True)
7. The court can of its own accord raise the issue of separation. ( True)
8. The principle of legality is constitutionally entrenched. ( True)
9. The principle of equality of arms is founded on equal opportunities being available to both the
state and the defence to prove their respective cases. ( True)
10. The merits of a case are the cardinal point of the court’s considerations when determining
whether to convict or acquit. ( True)
,11. Where required, the entire judgment of the court must be translated into a language that the
accused understands. ( True)
12. In cases where the charge pertains to multiple acts or omissions, the court must deliver
judgment separately on each individual charge. . ( False)
13. Some sentences do not constitute punishments. ( True)
14. In Rabie 1975 (4) SA 855 (A) 862G, the court summarised the general principles of sentencing.
( True)
15. Imprisonment, committal to a treatment centre, a fine and correctional supervision are the only
sentences that can be imposed by a court. ( False)
16. Periodical imprisonment is a form of short-term imprisonment and is also informally known as
“weekend imprisonment”. ( True)
17. The Constitution secures a general right of review. ( True)
18. Fairness no longer entails enquiring whether there was a failure of justice, but whether the trial
was fair. ( True)
19. Review is more appropriate than appeal in cases where the accused is dissatisfied with the
procedures during the trial. ( True)
20. There is a general right of appeal in South Africa. ( True)
21. The right of appeal is justifiably limited by section 36 of the Constitution. ( True)
22. A person can appeal against the sentence imposed or the conviction – not both. ( False)
,23. The Constitution empowers the President to pardon or reprieve offenders in certain
circumstances. ( True)
24. The President is empowered to remit any fine, penalty or forfeiture within the confines of the
Constitution. ( True)
25. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has the sole responsibility to
expunge records on application by the accused. ( True)
Side note: questions 1-25 can be found in tutorial letter 101/201 2018 S1 for any references
26. The notion of “open justice” establishes a protective function in respect of the fairtrial rights of
the accused. ( True)
27. Open justice can be limited in cases where the accused is in danger of being exposed as a state
informant. ( True)
28. The accused can testify by way of closed-circuit television in cases where an open trial may cause
him or her emotional or physical harm. ( True)
29. Witnesses are protected in cases of sexual assault and extortion by way of the court’s discretion
to “close the court”. ( True)
30. Irrespective of the charge, if a matter relates to an adult accused and complainant, the court
cannot exclude the public from the trial in the interests of justice. ( False)
31. The court, the prosecutor and the accused all have the power to subpoena witnesses. ( True)
32. The advantage of a joint trial is that it saves the state resources and time. ( True)
33. Joinder is permissive and not imperative. ( True)
34. The decision to separate a trial is at the discretion of the presiding officer. ( True)
, 35. Cross-examination of a witness by the court is permissible within the bounds of reasonableness. (
False)
36. The principle of equality of arms can be related to the competence of both the prosecutor and
the representative for the defence. ( True)
37. An ex tempore judgment does not infringe on the right of the accused to a speedy trial. ( True)
38. An improper delay in delivering judgment undermines public confidence in the judicial system.
( True)
39. Community service as a condition of a suspended sentence is not considered a punishment.
( False)
40. Most statutory offences are enacted with an attendant penalty clause. ( True)
41. Tradition seems to indicate that the state and the accused must supply the information required
by the court during trial on sentencing. ( True)
42. Compensation and restitution are forms of restorative sentences. ( True)
43. Review is not solely the domain of the CPA. ( True)
44. The Superior Courts Act does not provide for review in criminal proceedings. False 45. Judicial
review has a common-law origin. ( True)
46. Any conviction, sentence or order of a lower court, and even a discharge after conviction, are
subject to leave to appeal. ( True)
47. An appeal on the facts relates to the merits of the matter in the trial court. ( True)
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