Hong Kong Ordinances

MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE - SECT 52

Allowing defendant to go at large until return made to warrant, etc.

Where a magistrate issues any such warrant of distress it shall be lawful for
him to suffer the defendant to go at large, or, by a written warrant in that
behalf or verbally, to order the defendant to be kept and detained in safe
custody until return is made to the warrant, unless the defendant gives
sufficient security, by recognizance or otherwise, to the satisfaction of the
magistrate, for his appearance before a magistrate at the time and place
appointed for the return of the warrant: (See Forms 64, 65) Provided that in
any case where a defendant gives security by recognizance as aforesaid, and
does not afterwards appear at the time and place mentioned therein, the
magistrate then present may forthwith declare the same to be forfeited in
manner hereinafter provided. (Amended 56 of 1994 s. 11) [cf. 1848 c. 43 s. 20
U.K.]