Hong Kong criminal law

Not to be confused withCrimes Ordinance.

The general framework and the body of Hong Kong’s criminal laws were in fact imported from theUnited Kingdomwhen Hong Kong was first become aCrown colonyin 1842 under theTreaty of Nanking.Even nowadays, after the handover and years of development and modification, these laws are still very similar to those in the UK. Just like in Britain, criminal laws in Hong Kong are entailed in different statutory law andcommon law.

Although an individual can initiate a criminal prosecution, this is very rare due to many reasons: expensive costs involved in legal proceedings, lack of power and information to carry out formal investigation and collect evidence, exclusive right for theSecretary for Justiceto get involved or even take over any private criminal prosecution, etc. Therefore, it is theSecretary for Justicewho normally initiates a formal criminal prosecution. Before the Secretary initiates a prosecution, the Secretary must first determine (1) if there is enough evidence to provide an adequate basis to prosecute, and (2) whether the prosecution is to benefit the society as a whole. The Secretary, or officials acting upon his behalf, is required to follow a set of rules in a prosecution. The Secretary is then to present the case and any evidence to an impartial court. The defendant of the case is allowed to defense him in the court proceeding. At last, the court determines whether or not the defendant is guilty; accordingly, the court will also give appropriate remedies and orders. Therefore, criminal law can further divide into procedure law, substantive law, and judgement.

Procedural law

During a criminal proceeding, many steps and rules are involved. Each of the steps must be finished and followed in the correct order and the right time. First things first, in order for theSecretary for Justiceto institute a criminal proceeding, the Secretary must first lawfully collect evidence and arrest the accused person. Then, the Secretary determines whether to institute a criminal proceeding; if he does so, he should also determine which court he should bring case to for formal hearing.

Lawful Search, Seizure, and Arrest

SeeArrest powers in Hong Kong

Laying Charges, Indictable or Summary Case, and Court Choice

SeeSummary Proceedings

Pre-trial

SeeTrial First Stage

Trial

• Voir Dire
• Empanelling jury

Main article:Jury System in Hong Kong

Similar to many former British colonies, Hong Kong inherits the practice of trial by jury from the UK. The precise process of empanelling a jury is provided in the Jury Ordinance. In general, a jury is composed of seven jurors. Sometimes, a judge may enlarge a jury to a nine-person jury based on the situation.

• Prosecution's opening, Examination, Cross-examination, Re-examination of witnesses
• Defendant's opening, Examination, Cross-examination, Re-examination of witnesses
• Closing
• Summing-up by judge & Verdict