This provision has not been checked by a human. The text below was read automatically from the official PDF and has not yet been verified against it, so it may differ from the provision as published — in its wording, its numbering, or where one provision ends and the next begins. For the authorised text, see legislation.vic.gov.au.
concerns the response of the accused to the prosecution case if they are not legally represented. The Magistrates' Court, in these circumstances, must inform the accused immediately following the close of the prosecution case, in a manner that they are likely to understand, that they have the right to answer the charge and must choose either to give sworn evidence or say nothing in answer to the charge. Further, the court must also inform the accused that they may call any witnesses to give sworn evidence for them. The court must then ask the accused what they elect to do.