How long will the entire criminal proceedings take?

How long will the entire criminal proceedings take?

Due to the large volume of cases handled by the court, it is difficult to estimate the specific duration. From the commencement of police investigation to the sentencing of the court, the whole procedure may take several years. If the defendant pleads guilty, the duration of the litigation will be shortened.

Criminal Proceedings mainly includes the following stages:

• Police Investigation: Collection of evidence and taking of statements. The duration depends on the complexity of the case and may take several months.
• Decision to Prosecute by the Department of Justice: Review of police evidence and determination of whether to prosecute. This process usually takes several weeks to several months.
• First Mention: The defendant appears in court for the first time. The court confirms the charges and makes procedural arrangements.
• Pre-trial Procedure: This stage includes the submission of documents, handling of legal disputes, scheduling of the case for hearing, etc. It may take several months.
• Trial: The duration depends on the complexity of the case. Simple cases may take several days, while complex cases may take several months or longer.
• Sentencing: if the defendant is convicted, the court may impose the sentence immediately or adjourn sentencing to a later date

As the Tai Po fire involved a large number of fatalities and the situation is complex, the procedure will be even more complicated. If the case involves the liability of the construction company, additional time will be needed to investigate the construction documents, contracts, and expert reports. If the case involves manslaughter or other serious offences, there may be a need for a jury trial. Given the high level of public interest in this case, the court must exercise extra caution, which may delay the setting down of a court date.