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Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM |
Statement by Sen. Hope Strachan
Swift Justice Initiative is critical in addressing case backlog problem.
19 September 2011
As you all know, the Swift Justice initiative (SJI) was introduced in April 2006 with measurable success and today the PLP calls on the government to re-introduce this important program.
This initiative strengthens the relationship and communication links between the Office of the Attorney General, The Royal Bahamas Police Force, Her Majesty’s Prison, the Department of Social Services and all other relevant government agencies to bring about swift detection and prosecution so that justice can be dispensed swiftly.
Under the SJI, the Voluntary Bill of Indictment procedure in serious criminal matters was implemented. The record shows that the courts have expressed their approval of this initiative. We refer to the Shanto Curry decision when Justice John Isaacs had this to say:
“I am heartened that nine years after the passage of the Voluntary Bill of Indictment procedure enabling the Attorney General to bypass the preliminary inquiry process and the time wasting that involves, a push is being made to utilize the VBI process in such serious cases as murder armed robbery rape and kidnapping thereby shortening the time it takes for such matters to come to trial.”
The PLP is committed to this initiative as this procedure allows long outstanding matters to be brought to trial. We firmly believe that this is the right direction in enabling serious offences to be brought to trial within twelve months.
The government must go further and continue to strengthen and expand the support strategies that will help the Swift Justice initiative:
CCTV and security cameras at both businesses and homes will enable the police to use the recorded tapes in evidence at trial. The OAG must continue to meet with businesses to strengthen this important tool in prosecuting crimes against people and property.
The government must provide the requisite resources to ensure that all Preliminary Inquiries are completed and transcribed. Further, the Magistrates court must be regularly updated on the status of all of the PI’s until the vexing issue of case backlog is
satisfactorily addressed.
Delays in these matters are vexing for both accused persons and victims as they are denied justice.
© Copyright 2011 by thebahamasweekly.com
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