formal writ of arrest setting out the charge or charges and shall provide for a
speedy trial. There shall be no preventive detention.
g. The right to the writ of habeas corpus, being essential to the protection of
human rights, shall be guaranteed at all times, and any person arrested or detained
and not presented to court within the period specified may in consequence
exercise this right.
h. No person shall be held to answer for a capital or infamous crime except in
cases of impeachment, cases arising in the Armed Forces and petty offenses, unless
upon indictment by Grand Jury; and in all such cases, the accused shall have the
right to a speedy, public and impartial trial by a jury of the vicinity, unless such
person shall, with appropriate understanding, expressly waive the right to a jury
trial. In all criminal cases, the accused shall have the right to be represented by
counsel of his choice, to confront witnesses against him and to have compulsory
process for obtaining witnesses in his favor. He shall not be compelled to furnish
evidence against himself and he shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is
proved beyond a reasonable doubt. No person shall be subject to double jeopardy.
i. The right to counsel and the rights of counsel shall be inviolable. There shall be
no interference with the lawyer-client relationship. In all trials, hearings,
interrogatories and other proceedings where a person ins accused of a criminal
offense, the accused shall have the right to counsel of his choice; and where the
accused is unable to secure such representation, the Republic shall make available
legal aid services to ensure the protection of his rights.
There shall be absolute immunity from any government sanctions or interference in
the performance of legal services as a counselor or advocate; lawyers’ offices and
homes shall not be searched or papers examined or taken save pursuant to a search
warrant and court order; and no lawyer shall be prevented from or punished for
providing legal services, regardless of the charges against or the guilt of his client,
no lawyer shall be barred from practice for political reasons.
j. Any person who, upon conviction of a criminal offense, was deprived of the
enjoyment of his civil rights and liberties, shall have the same automatically
restored upon serving the sentence and satisfying any other penalty imposed, or
upon an executive pardon.
Article 22
a. Every person shall have the right to own property alone as well as in
association with others; provided that only Liberian citizens shall have the right to
own real property within the Republic.