Where defences of self-defence, provocation and honest and reasonable mistake are raised, a Magistrate need only make findings negativing the objective elements of those defences without addressing the subjective elements. An objection to duplicity of a charge for an indictable offence dealt with summarily must be taken before the prosecution case commences. A Magistrate has a discretion whether to give a direction on good character evidence and is not required to refer to such evidence in reasons for decision.
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