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Evidence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1991
81ARecorded statement—requirements
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81A Recorded statement—requirements
(1) A police officer must, before making a recorded statement, tell the
complainant that—
(a) the recorded statement may be used in evidence at a hearing; and
(b) if the recorded statement is used in evidence at a hearing, the
complainant may be called to give evidence under
cross-examination in person at the hearing; and
(c) the complainant does not have to consent to the recording.
(2) A recorded statement must be made—
(a) as soon as practicable after the events mentioned in the
statement happened; and
(b) in the form of questions and answers.
Note If the recorded statement is to be admitted as evidence in a proceeding,
the rules of evidence apply to the content of the statement.
(3) A recorded statement of a complainant must include the following:
(a) the name of each person present during any part of the recording;
(b) a statement by the complainant—
(i) of the complainant’s name, age and whether the
complainant lives in the ACT; and
(ii) about the truth of the representations made by the
complainant in the recorded statement;
(c) any other matter prescribed by regulation.
(4) As far as is practicable, a recorded statement must not contain an
image of—
(a) a child; or
(b) a person who is intellectually impaired.
(5) If any part of a recorded statement is in a language other than
English—
(a) the recorded statement must contain an English translation of the
part; or
(b) a separate written English translation of the part must
accompany the recorded statement.
(6) A recorded statement must not be edited or changed unless—
(a) both parties consent to the edits or changes; or
(b) the court hearing the proceeding in which the recorded statement
is tendered otherwise orders.
Example—court ordering change
editing the recorded statement to omit inadmissible material
(7) In this section:
intellectually impaired—see section 42.
police officer includes a person who is a member of the police force
of a State or another Territory if—
(a) provisions of the law of that State or Territory correspond
(or substantially correspond) to this part; and
(b) the person is trained in the taking of evidence under those
provisions.