Section 216 - Alteration and amendment of charge by permission of court

(1) A court may permit an alteration or addition to a charge or framing of a new charge at any time before judgment is pronounced.

(2) An alteration or addition of a new charge shall be read and explained to the defendant and his plea to the amended or new charge shall be taken.

(3) Where a defendant is arraigned for trial on an imperfect or erroneous charge, the court may permit or direct the framing of a new charge, or an addition to, or the alteration of the original charge.

(4) Where any defendant is committed for trial without a charge or with an imperfect or erroneous charge, the court may frame a charge or add or alter the charge as the case may be having regard to the provisions of this Act.