Section 21, THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ACTS, 1965

Whenever a Magistrate's Court issues a summons in respect of any offence other than a felony, it may if it seesreason to do so, and shall when the offence with which the defendant is charged is punishable only by a fine or by imprisonment not exceeding three months (whether with or without a fine) dispense with the personal attendance of the defendant, provided that he pleads guilty in writing or is represented by a legal practitioner. (2) The Magistrate's Court enquiring into or trying any case may in its discretion at any subsequent state of the proceedings, direct the personal attendance of the defendant, and, if necessary, enforce such attendance in manner hereinafter provided. (3) If a Magistrate's Court imposes a fine on a defendant whose personal attendance has been dispensed with under this section and the fine is not paid within the time prescribed, the court may forthwith issue a summons calling upon the defendant to show cause why he should not be committed to prison. If the defendant does not attend upon the return, the court may forthwith issue a warrant and commit him to prison for such term as the court may then fix. (4) If in any case in which the attendance of defendant is dispensed with under this section, previous convictions are alleged against him and are not admitted in writing, the court may adjourn the proceedings and direct the personal attendance of the defendant and, if necessary, enforce such attendance in manner hereinafter provided.