Page 1 - LN- Std 8 - civics - Chap 6 - Subtopic - 3

SAI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
VIRTUAL LEARNING MODULE 17 (6.3), 2020 – 21
Subject – Civics
Chapter – 6: UNDERSTANDING OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Class – VIII
Sub topic 3: What is a Fair Trial?

Notes

NOTES

Pages: 73, 74, 75

What is a Fair Trial?

For a trial to be fair several different procedures have to be observed.

 Article 21 of the Constitution guarantees the Right to Life – A person’s life and
liberty can be taken away by following a just legal procedure.

 A Fair Trial ensures that Article 21 of the Constitution is upheld.

Essential elements of a fair trial;

(1) – The accused is given a copy of the chargesheet and all other evidence that the
prosecution presented against her.

(2) – The offence is defined as a criminal offence by law.
(3) – The trial is held in an open court and in full public view.

(4) – Relatives can attend the court hearings.

(5) – The trial is held in the presence of the accused.
(6) – The accused is defended by a lawyer.

(7) – The lawyer of the accused is the defence lawyer and is given a chance to cross
– examine all the witnesses.

(8) – The judge assumes that the accused is innocent till proved guilty.

 The Constitution states that every citizen, irrespective of their class, caste,

gender, religion, and ideological background get a fair trial when accused.
 The rule of law which says that everyone is equal before the law would make

sense when everyone is guarantees a fair trial in the courts.