Criminal Procedure Act 2011

Introduction

You could also call this:

"How the Law Handles Criminal Cases"

Illustration for Criminal Procedure Act 2011

This Act tells you how criminal cases are handled. It explains the steps to follow in a criminal case. It also explains how electronic technology is used in criminal cases. You can use electronic technology for things related to criminal procedure. This includes the court record of criminal proceedings. The court record is a record of what happens in court. The Act sets out how to use electronic technology in these situations. This helps make the process more efficient. It also helps keep accurate records of what happens in court.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM3359902.

This page was last updated on 15 February 2026 — View changes

Highlights from this law

28: Summons in relation to charge may be served

When someone thinks you've done something wrong, they can give you a special paper called a summons to go to court.

45: Special pleas

Special pleas: saying you've already been found guilty or not guilty of something before

102: Judge may order Judge-alone trial in cases likely to be long and complex

The court can choose a judge-only trial for very long and complex cases.

105: Conduct of Judge-alone trial

What happens in a trial when only a judge makes the decision

114: Procedure after defendant pleads or is found guilty

What happens in court after you plead or are found guilty

167: Power to adjourn

The court can pause a case and set a new time and place for it to continue later.

229: Right of appeal against conviction

What to do if you think you've been wrongly found guilty of a crime

244: Convicted person's right of appeal against sentence

What to do if you don't agree with your sentence after being found guilty of a crime

Topics:

Crime and justice > Courts and legal helpCrime and justice > Criminal law

1: Title, or

"The name of this law about criminal procedures in New Zealand is the Criminal Procedure Act 2011."

Criminal Procedure Act 2011

Reprint as at:: 2026-02-01
Assent:: 2011-10-17
Commencement:: see section 2

The Parliamentary Counsel Office has made editorial and format changes to this version using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.

Note 4 at the end of this version provides a list of the amendments included in it.

This Act is administered by the Ministry of Justice.