Summary
"With the growing debate of the relevance of the right to silence, this paper examines what it means according to international norms and reviews its practical implementation in various domestic jurisdictions. This examination reveals that in exercising this right, there are different issues and debates that arise about the right to silence during police investigations (pre-trial) and during the trial itself (at trial). Furthermore, the examination reveals that the debate about the nature of the right to silence appears to fall into two categories. One views the right as absolute and necessary to ensure a fair trial. The other views this right as subject to qualification in certain circumstances."--Page 3.