Section 235 of The Children Act CAP 141: Guarantees to a child accused of an offence
Every child accused of having violated any rule of law shall—
(a) be promptly and directly informed of the charges against him or her;
(b) be provided by the state with legal assistance in the preparation and presentation of his or her defence;
(c) have the matter determined without delay;
(d) not be compelled to testify or make a confession in respect of the alleged offence;
(e) have free assistance of an interpreter if the child cannot understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted;
(f) if found guilty of the offence, have the right to apply for review of decisions and any punitive measures imposed by the trial Court;
(g) have his or her privacy respected at all stages of the proceedings;
(h) if the child has a disability, be accorded reasonable accommodation in respect of his or her special needs and respect for his or her personal dignity on an equal basis with others; and
(i) if the child is not released on bond, he or she shall be placed in a Children Remand Home or Child Protection Unit.
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- Section 236 - Duty to provide for the welfare of a child
(1) In dealing with a child brought before it, the Court shall have regard to thebest interest of the child, and shall take appropriate steps to remove the child from any undesirable surroundings, and...
- Section 237 - Words "conviction" and "sentence" not to be used of child
(1) The words "conviction" and "sentence" shall not be used in relation to achild being dealt with by the Children’s Court.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), any reference in...
- Section 238 - Restriction on punishment
(1) No court shall order the imprisonment of a child.
(2) Notwithstanding the nature of any offence punishable by death, no courtshall impose the death penalty on a child on a finding of guilty for...
- Section 239 - Methods of dealing with children in conflict with the law
(1) Where a child is tried for an offence, and the Court is satisfied as to their guilt, the Court may deal with the case in one or more of the following ways— (a) discharge the child under section...
- Section 240 - Mental treatment
If it appears to the Court on the evidence of a medical practitioner or professional counsellor that a child requires, or may benefit from, mental treatment or professional counselling, the Court may,...
- Section 241 - Power to order parent to pay fines, etc.
(1) In any case where a child is charged with an offence for which a fine, compensation or costs may be imposed, and the Court is of the considered view that the case would best be met by imposition...
- Section 242 - Special police unit
A special police unit shall be designated by the Inspector General to—
(a) deal with children matters;
(b) prevent and control child offences;
(c) apprehend child offenders;
(d) investigate child...
- Section 243 - Proceedings in respect of offences committed by a child
The Chief Justice may make rules of court directing the manner in which proceedings in respect of a child accused of having infringed any law shall be conducted.
- Section 244 - Appeals to the Cabinet Secretary
(1) A person aggrieved by any act of the Secretary or an authorised officerin exercise of powers conferred by this Act may appeal to the Cabinet Secretary within fourteen days.
(2) An appeal under...
- Section 245 - Code of conduct
The Council shall develop a code of conduct for its members and staff.
- Section 246 - General penalty
A person convicted of an offence under this Act for which no other penalty is prescribed shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months, or to a fine not exceeding two hundred...
- Section 247 - General power to make regulations
Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Cabinet Secretary may make regulations—
(a) to prescribe anything that may be prescribed under this Act; or
(b) generally for the better carrying out of...
- Section 248 - Grants and expenses of the Cabinet Secretary
(1) There shall be paid out of moneys provided by Parliament and County governments—
(a) such sums on such conditions as the Cabinet Secretary may prescribe towards—
(i) the expenses incurred by...
- Section 249 - Repeals
(1) The Children Act (No. 8 of 2001) is repealed.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the application of section 3 of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act (Cap. 2), the transitional...