KSC, TITLE 6.  THE JUDICIARY
 
 
Chapter 42.  Arrest Warrant

Section 6.4201.  Issuance of warrant.
Section 6.4202.  Citation.
Section 6.4203.  Complaint following arrest without warrant.
Section 6.4204.  Effect of irregularity.
Section 6.4205.  Warrant or penal summons upon complaint.
Section 6.4206.  Use of penal summons.
Section 6.4207.  Execution of warrant; service of penal summons.
Section 6.4208.  Return of service.
Section 6.4209.  Issuance of arrest warrant or penal summons on information.

      Section 6.4201.  Issuance of warrant.
       Only a justice of the Court issues a warrant of arrest.

Cross reference:
The constitutional provisions on the Judiciary are found in Kosrae Const., Art. VI.  The constitutional provisions on personal freedoms are found in Kosrae Const., Art. II.  The FSM constitutional provisions on declaration of rights are found in FSM Const., Art. IV.

      Section 6.4202.  Citation.
       When a police officer may lawfully arrest a person without a warrant he may serve a citation upon the person in lieu of arrest, if he determines that the public interest does not require an arrest.

      Section 6.4203.  Complaint following arrest without warrant.
       When a person arrested without a warrant comes before the Court and a complaint has not yet issued, the Court orders that a complaint issue forthwith.

      Section 6.4204.  Effect of irregularity.
       The appellate court does not invalidate or set aside a Court proceeding, finding, order, or sentence because of an error or omission, technical or otherwise, in an arrest warrant, unless it finds that the error or omission has prejudiced an accused.

      Section 6.4205.  Warrant or penal summons upon complaint.

     (1)  A person seeking the issuance of an arrest warrant personally appears and makes a complaint before the Court.

     (2)  If the complaint states the essential facts constituting an offense by a person named or described therein, and if the Court finds probable cause to believe commission of the offense complained of by the person named or described, the Court may issue a warrant for arrest of the person, or a penal summons.

     (3)  If the Court is doubtful that a complaint states sufficient grounds for the issuance of an arrest warrant or penal summons, and if the complainant consents, it may refer the complaint to the Office of the Attorney General for investigation and report, withholding action for a reasonable time pending report by the Office of the Attorney General.  If the complainant does not consent to a referral, or, if following referral the Court does not receive the report within a reasonable time, the Court examines under oath the complainant, witnesses offered by the complainant and other witnesses summoned by the Court, giving the accused the opportunity to be present and defend. If the Court is satisfied from a report by the Office of the Attorney General that there is probable cause to believe commission of the complained offense by the accused, it issues an arrest warrant or penal summons.

Cross reference:
The constitutional provisions on the Judiciary are found in Kosrae Const., Art. VI.

      Section 6.4206.  Use of penal summons.

     (1)  For a misdemeanor the Court issues a penal summons to appear before the Court at a time and place stated in the penal summons, unless the Court finds that the public interest requires the accused's arrest.

     (2)  Upon request of a complainant the Court may issue a penal summons.

     (3)  If following service of a penal summons an accused fails to appear in response to the penal summons for cause found inadequate by the Court, the Court issues an arrest warrant.

      Section 6.4207.  Execution of warrant; service of penal summons.
       A police officer or person authorized in a warrant or penal summons executes the warrant or serves the summons within the State.  Service of a penal summons is upon the accused by delivering a copy to him personally and explaining its substance to him in a language he understands or by leaving it at the accused's dwelling house or usual place of employment or business with a person of suitable age and discretion then residing or employed therein and explaining its substance to him.

      Section 6.4208.  Return of service.

     (1)  A person who has executed a warrant writes on the warrant his signed statement of arrest, showing the date and place of arrest, and delivers the warrant to the Court.

     (2)  At or before the time stated in a penal summons for appearance of an accused the person who receives the summons for service writes on the summons a signed statement of his actions and delivers the summons to the Court.  If he has served the summons, the report states the date, place, and method of service.

      Section 6.4209.  Issuance of arrest warrant or penal summons on information.
       The Attorney General or person designated in writing by him may file in the Court signed application for the issuance of an arrest warrant or penal summons.  If the information states the essential facts constituting an offense by a person named or described in the information with a supporting written sworn statement, showing to the Court's satisfaction that there is probable cause to believe the commission of the offense by the person named or described, the Court, upon request of the Attorney General, issues a warrant or summons as provided in Section 6.4205 (2).

Cross reference:
The constitutional provisions on the Judiciary are found in Kosrae Const., Art. VI.