NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Consideration is now being given to introducing legislation to admit CCTV digital images as evidence in trials, Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie said.

As he presented the Closing Budget Statement to the 2013/14 Budget Debate in the House of Assembly, Tuesday, June 18, 2013, the Prime Minister added that thought is also being given to admitting in trials evidence that a person wearing an ankle bracelet was at the scene of a crime.   

“This will mean that if the offender’s digital image from CCTV or his unique identifier from his ankle bracelet places him at the crime scene, a rebuttable presumption will be raised that he was at the crime scene.”

  Prime Minister Christie said, “In such a case there will be the need for the private sector to assist and cooperate with the police in devising the protocols and procedures that should, in turn, assist the Judiciary in relation to the tests for admissibility of CCTV digital images into evidence.”  

He explained that in the longer term, this new technology will minimise the need for human witnesses in many cases, thereby also reducing the problem of having to dedicate resources for witness protection programmes and the like.

  The Prime Minister said already on the Agenda for debate is legislation enabling video-conferencing to be used for arraignments and any other matter up to and including trial.

  Swift Justice

“Although Swift Justice is registering impressive results, we are not satisfied that we have gone far enough yet.

  “Citizens are especially concerned that persons who have committed serious crimes whilst on bail continue to commit serious crime and have become recidivists. This too cannot be tolerated.”

  He repeated the Government’s unflinching commitment to doing whatever is necessary to reduce crime, the fear of crime and guarantee law and order in our society.

  “To this end, before Parliament adjourns for the Summer Recess, we will bring legislation to enable the appointment of up to 20 Supreme Court Judges. Commencing September 2013, for 12 months, in the first instance, we will provide the resources to enable the courts to increase the number of criminal trials that can be conducted simultaneously.

  “It is our hope that the courts will be in a position to conduct as many as 10 criminal trials at the same time.”  

Prime Minister Christie explained that initial indications are that the Judiciary is prepared to initiate this measure to increase the number of criminal trials being conducted in the courts.

  “We believe this would be an important tool in our crime-fighting arsenal.

“I have been assured by the Attorney General that her Office will be able to prosecute up to 10 criminals at the same time.”

  He said the Government believes that Judges like all Bahamians and persons within the country’s borders would like to see matters proceed to trial as swiftly as possible.

  “We believe that in a country as small as ours, serious crime should be tried within 12 months.

  “And, we believe that any assault or threat upon persons concerned with the administration of justice, such as a Judge, should be tried within six months.”

  The Prime Minister said the Government believes that 10 criminal courts sitting concurrently for a period of one year, in the first instance, will send a clear message of its determination to swiftly try offenders and together with our other crime strategy tools will break the back of crime.

  He said, “The UK experience following the riots is instructive. Immediately after the riots special measures were implemented on a temporary basis and over 2000 trials were heard with a conviction rate of 83 per cent (BBC Report dated May 3, 2012).”