Article 4.41 Minor Offenses and Facilitated Procedures

(a) (1) The applicable criminal procedural framework shall provide for facilitated, simplified, and expedited procedures for the adjudication of minor criminal offences, where the nature and gravity of the offense so permit.

(b2) Such procedures may include, subject to appropriate safeguards:
(ia) summary determination by a single judge or magistrate;
(iib) simplified charging, plea, and hearing procedures;
(iiic) written or electronic procedures, where the accused has been duly informed of the charge and has consented; and
(ivd) proportionate sanctions without recourse to full trial procedures.

(c) (3) Provision may further be made for reconciliation, diversion, or restorative mechanisms for suitable offenses, including victim–offender reconciliation, community-based sanctions, or rehabilitative programmes, aimed at accountability and reintegration while avoiding unnecessary criminalisation.

(d) (4) The Chief Justice, in consultation with the Operator and, where appropriate, the Minister of Justice or equivalent authority of the Host Country, may issue Directives and guidelines to implement and operationalise the procedures referred to in this Chapter.