Can. 1717 ß1 Whenever the Ordinary receives information, which has at least the
semblance of truth, about an offence, he is to enquire carefully, either personally or
through some suitable person, about the facts and circumstances, and about the
imputability of the offence, unless this enquiry would appear to be entirely superfluous.
ß2 Care is to be taken that this investigation does not call into question anyone's
good name.
ß3 The one who performs this investigation has the same powers and obligations as an
auditor in a process. If, later, a judicial process is initiated, this person may not take
part in it as a judge.
Can. 1718 ß1 When the facts have been assembled, the Ordinary is to decide:
1ƒ whether a process to impose or declare a penalty can be initiated;
2ƒ whether this would be expedient, bearing in mind Can. 1341;
3ƒ whether a judicial process is to be used or, unless the law forbids it, whether the
matter is to proceed by means of an extra‚judicial decree.
ß2 The Ordinary is to revoke or change the decree mentioned in ß1 whenever new facts
indicate to him that a different decision should be made.
ß3 In making the decrees referred to in ßß1 and 2, the Ordinary, if he considers it
prudent, is to consult two judges or other legal experts.
ß4 Before making a decision in accordance with ß1, the Ordinary is to consider
whether, to avoid useless trials, it would be expedient, with the parties' consent, for
himself or the investigator to make a decision, according to what is good and equitable,
about the question of harm.
Can. 1719 The acts of the investigation, the decrees of the Ordinary by which the
investigation was opened and closed, and all those matters which preceded the
investigation, are to be kept in the secret curial archive, unless they are necessary for
the penal process.
Can. 1720 If the Ordinary believes that the matter should proceed by way of an
extra‚judicial decree:
1ƒ he is to notify the accused of the allegation and the evidence, and give an
opportunity for defense, unless the accused, having been lawfully summoned, has failed to
appear;
2ƒ together with two assessors, he is accurately to weigh all the evidence and
arguments;
3ƒ if the offence is certainly proven and the time for criminal action has not
elapsed, he is to issue a decree in accordance with canon 1342‚1350, outlining at least
in summary form the reasons in law and in fact.
Can. 1721 ß1 If the Ordinary decrees that a judicial penal process is to be initiated,
he is to pass the acts of the investigation to the promoter of justice, who is to present
to the judge a petition of accusation in accordance with canon 1502 and 1504.
ß2 Before a higher tribunal, the promoter of justice constituted for that tribunal
adopts the role of plaintiff.
Can. 1722 At any stage of the process, in order to prevent scandal, protect the freedom
of the witnesses and safeguard the course of justice, the Ordinary can, after consulting
the promoter of justice and summoning the accused person to appear, prohibit the accused
from the exercise of the sacred ministry or of some ecclesiastical office and position, or
impose or forbid residence in a certain place or territory, or even prohibit public
participation in the blessed Eucharist. If, however, the reason ceases, all these
restrictions are to be revoked; they cease by virtue of the law itself as soon as the
penal process ceases.
Can. 1723 ß1 When the judge summons the accused, he must invite the latter to engage
an advocate, in accordance with Can. 1481 ß1, but within the time laid down by the judge.
ß2 If the accused does not do this, the judge himself is to appoint an advocate before
the joinder of the issue, and this advocate will remain in office for as long as the
accused has not engaged an advocate.
Can. 1724 ß1 At the direction or with the consent of the Ordinary who decided that the
process should be initiated, the promoter of justice in any grade of the trial can resign
from the case.
ß2 For validity, this resignation must be accepted by the accused person, unless he or
she has been declared absent from the trial.
Can. 1725 In the argumentation of the case, whether done in writing or orally, the
accused person or the advocate or procurator of the accused, always has the right to write
or speak last.
Can. 1726 If in any grade or at any stage of a penal trial, it becomes quite evident
that the offence has not been committed by the accused, the judge must declare this in a
judgment and acquit the accused, even if it is at the same time clear that the period for
criminal proceedings has elapsed.
Can. 1727 ß1 The offender can appeal, even if discharged in the judgment only because
the penalty was facultative, or because the judge used the power mentioned in canon
1344
and 1345.
ß2 The promoter of justice can appeal whenever he considers that the reparation of
scandal or the restitution of justice has not been sufficiently provided for.
Can. 1728 ß1 Without prejudice to the canons of this title, and unless the nature of
the case requires otherwise, in a penal trial the judge is to observe the canons
concerning judicial procedures in general, those concerning the ordinary contentious
process, and the special norms about cases which concern the public good.
ß2 The accused person is not bound to admit to an offence, nor may the oath be
administered to the accused.
Can. 1729 ß1 In accordance with Can. 1596, a party who has suffered harm from an
offence can bring a contentious action for making good the harm in the actual penal case
itself.
ß2 The intervention of the harmed party mentioned in ß1 is no longer admitted if the
intervention was not made in the first instance of the penal trial.
ß3 An appeal in a case concerning harm is made in accordance with canon 1628‚‚1640,
even if an appeal cannot be made in the penal case itself. If, however, there is an appeal
on both headings, there is to be only one trial, even though the appeals are made by
different persons, without prejudice to the provision of Can. 1734 [7]
.
Can. 1730 ß1 To avoid excessive delays in a penal trial, the judge can postpone the
trial concerning harm until he has given a definitive judgment in the penal trial.
ß2 When the judge does this he must, after giving judgment in the penal trial, hear
the case concerning harm, even though the penal trial is still pending because of a
proposed challenge to it, or even though the accused has been acquitted, when the reason
for the acquittal does not take away the obligation to make good the harm.
Can. 1731 A judgment given in a penal trial, even though it has become an adjudged
matter, in no way creates a right for a party who has suffered harm, unless this party has
intervened in accordance with can. 1733 [8]
FOOTNOTES
7 Translators' note: It would appear that this reference should read 'Can. 1730'. 8 Translators' note: It would appear that this reference should read 'Can. 1729'.