HANDLING OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE TRIAL BEGINS

246pp., paperback, UCT Press, Cape Town, 2025 

ISBN: 9781991236050 

A practical legal guide for new legal practitioners that covers the pre-trial phase of South African criminal litigation, bridging theory and courtroom practice.

Topics covered include the legal rules governing arrest, police custody, and the 48-hour rule; guidance on police bail, prosecutor-authorised bail, and formal court bail applications; navigating initial court appearances and charge sheets; dealing with unreasonable delays, disclosure rights, and requesting further particulars; alternatives to formal prosecution and making representations to the National Prosecuting Authority, and procedures and protections applicable to child clients under the Child Justice Act.

Suitable for candidate legal practitioners, attorneys, advocates, Legal Aid South Africa staff, and law students.

Walter Mahlangu's career spans prosecution, defence, and academia. He holds an LLB and LLM in Criminal Law from the University of Pretoria and has served as a District and Regional Court Prosecutor, State Advocate, and Senior State Advocate. A former Academic Associate and Law Lecturer, he also practised as Defence Counsel, having completed Pupillage at the Johannesburg Society of Advocates.