7Meaning of *charged with an offence*

7 Meaning of *charged with an offence* (1) For the purposes of this Act, a person is deemed to have been charged with an offence if— S. 7(1)(a) substituted by No. 68/2009 s. 97(Sch. item 23.9). (a) an indictment has been filed against the person for the offence; or (b) a charge has been filed against the person for the offence— whether or not— (i) a summons to answer to the charge; or (ii) a warrant to arrest the person— has been issued and served. S. 7(2) amended by No. 68/2009 s. 97(Sch. item 23.10). (2) A reference in this Act to the withdrawing of a charge includes a reference to the discontinuance of a prosecution. S. 7A (Heading) amended by Nos 79/2014 s. 6(1), 27/2016 s. 5(1). S. 7A inserted by No. 68/2010 s. 36, amended by Nos 79/2014 s. 6(2), 27/2016 s. 5(2)(3) (ILA s. 39B(1)).