PENDAKWARAYA AZHAR BIN AHMAD (670203-02-5009)

PENDAKWARAYA AZHAR BIN AHMAD (670203-02-5009)

Magistrate must not grant a discharge amounting to an acquittal (DAA) at summary trial where the prosecution does not present full evidence because s254(3) and Article 145(3) protect prosecutorial discretion and s173(f) requires consideration of full prosecution evidence; subordinate courts are therefore limited to DNAA unless the High Court exercises the power to quash or order acquittal.

Citation
AH-85-88-12/2019 (Mahkamah Majistret)
Parties
Prosecutor: Public Prosecutor (TPR Fatin Farahiyah Binti Nadzri); Accused: Azhar bin Ahmad (670203-02-5009)
Court
Magistrates' Court
Jurisdiction
Malaysia
Judgment Date
3 September 2020
Case Number
AH-85-88-12/2019 (Mahkamah Majistret)
Procedural Posture
Criminal Summary Trial for Offence Under Section 323 Penal Code / Application Under S254 KAJ for Discharge; Decision on DAA Vs DNAA at Summary Trial
Outcome
Accused discharged not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA)
Legal Topics
Discharge and Acquittal (daa Vs Dnaa), Section 254 Criminal Procedure Code (kaj), Section 173(f) KAJ Prima Facie, Attorney General Discretion (article 145(3) Federal Constitution), Judicial Competence of Subordinate Courts, Precedent on Limits of Magistrates' Powers
Source Language
Malay/English
Criminal Law Criminal Procedure Constitutional Law Discharge and Acquittal (daa Vs Dnaa) Section 254 Criminal Procedure Code (kaj) Section 173(f) KAJ Prima Facie Attorney General Discretion (article 145(3) Federal Constitution) Judicial Competence of Subordinate Courts +1 more

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 5 Authorities cited 6 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Public Prosecutor (TPR Fatin Farahiyah Binti Nadzri)

Prosecutor

Azhar bin Ahmad (670203-02-5009)

Accused

Procedural Posture

Criminal Summary Trial for Offence Under Section 323 Penal Code / Application Under S254 KAJ for Discharge; Decision on DAA Vs DNAA at Summary Trial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether a Magistrate may grant a discharge amounting to an acquittal (DAA) under s254 KAJ when the complainant withdraws
  2. 2 Whether s254(3) confers power on subordinate courts to record an acquittal
  3. 3 Whether s173(f) KAJ requires consideration of full prosecution evidence before acquittal

Ratio Decidendi

Magistrate must not grant a discharge amounting to an acquittal (DAA) at summary trial where the prosecution does not present full evidence because s254(3) and Article 145(3) protect prosecutorial discretion and s173(f) requires consideration of full prosecution evidence; subordinate courts are therefore limited to DNAA unless the High Court exercises the power to quash or order acquittal.

Court Disposition

Accused discharged not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA)

Orders

  • Accused discharged not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA).
  • No order of acquittal granted; prosecution retains discretion to proceed or take further steps including application to High Court.