D.P.P. talks about new court
cheryl-lynn vidal
For weeks, there have been reports that Government intends to establish a court to “fast track” criminal cases. Last week, the Solicitor General, Oscar Ramjet, confirmed the setting up of the court saying that government had approved funding and it would be staffed by four persons, including a Magistrate to, as he put it, expedite the trial of accused persons. This morning, DPP Vidal said the new court was not under her jurisdiction; it is being established by the Attorney General’s Ministry. It is known that Elizabeth Purcell, who is attached to the police department, will be prosecutor. It is also known that the court will be housed at a North Front Street location.
William Neal
“Now, one of the things we’ve often heard is justice delayed? Is justice denied? There’s talk of a special court being established. Where are we with that? Is it a rumor or is it something that your office is in the midst of making sure that we put in place?”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions
“My office is not involved in it at all. It is something that is coming out of I believe, the Attorney General’s ministry from my understanding it’s not just a rumor, a court is going to be created to deal with certain serious cases. My understanding is also that’s it’s just an enhancement of the capabilities of the Magistrate’s court, just an additional court that is being set up in order to assist with the load of cases on the Magistracy.”
Marleni Cuellar
“What’s the classification of a serious crime?”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal
“It includes robbery, aggravated burglaries, and matters like that.”
Marleni Cuellar
“How do you just create a court?”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal
“Because it’s a structure at the Magistrate’s court and if they wanted to expand the magistrate’s court it wouldn’t require any constitutional amendment. They just set up another court. The prosecutors at the D.P.P’s office seldom deal with matters at the Magistrate’s court, when it’s a matter that you would consider high profile or a matter that we have a particular interest in then you opine, you’ve obviously seen me opine certain matters of the magistrate’s court; but you don’t ordinarily go to the magistrate’s court.”
Marleni Cuellar
“But if there’s a special court for serious crimes that are more high profile, wouldn’t that obviously mean that perhaps you would have more of a role there?”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal
“There’s a prosecutor who has been designated to deal with that, who does not work out of the office of Director of Public Prosecutions, but works out of the police department.”
Vidal also touched relations with the Police and her office. We’ll have this in tomorrow’s newscast.
There are more serious issues that should inspired a a new court, like rape against women, and children, foreigners commiting crimes in belize, and for first time affenders, because I don’t read too many high profile cases coming out of Belize at all.
does Vidal have any important information about this subject that her office is actually involved in, because i see no head nor tail of this story at this point.
I think the new court is a very good idea. The DPP is upset because she was never consulted.She is looking for people to feel sorry for her because she is not doing her job.
What they need to do is establish another police force. Create a State police department. This will be an elite force who will patrol the highways and perform at a much higher level.
If they create this new court I am assuming that there will be more convictions so, has anyone started to work on the construction of additional jail cells or as usual the plan will not be comprihensive and will not make complete plans al the way through to the end. Think ahead don’t … this up too!
Elizabeth Purcell no longer works for the GOB. Why don’t you ask DPP Vidal to elaborate on that.
She look like she don’t know what the hell she doin or talkin about did she know they are keepin every thing they are doin a secret from her she would never know what the plan is until the plan bite she in she a…….ha . She stupid
Presumably this is an extract from a full interview. I could not imagine that something so important would be dealt with in such a manner. Therefore I will give the DPP the benefit of the doubt. I can’t help to think what was the objective of the interview as I feel she failed to convey this to her audience. …. She seemed to struggle to with the concepts, but if she’s not responsible for the new court perhaps she wasn’t the person to be interviewed. Am I right? What should have happened was she should have been accompanied by the person responsible for the new court and have joint interview.
Communication, Communication `communication, it is paramount. Fail to communicate effective and it makes you look incompetent even if this is not the case. Even her body language is displaying discomfort.
The entire Court system in Belize need an overhaul.The DPP would also do good with some extermination need some DDT in that department get rid of the infestation.
I agree with Jade – ask the DPP why Ms. Purcell is no longer in Belize. Ask her when she left. Ask point blank if she already know about Ms. Purcell;s departure when she did the OYE interview.
Beyond that, as the DPP knows very well, no one CAN prosecute any crime in Belize EXCEPT in the name of her office. Any pretence at anything else is disingenuous.
And since when can the AG’s Ministry create “another Court” just to deal with “serious crime”?? Is this to be a special RED court to which only certain persons will be sent? WAKE UP BELIZE. IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES.
And the DPP DOES go to Magistrate’s Court…just ask Musa and Fonseca. Or wait, was that “high profile”, a “special case” or did she just have a “a particular interest” ?
To Irieas: DPP knows why Mrs. Purcell left…to elaborate on it… DPP was jealous that someone was doing a better job that her. Envy . And i agree with Emily: DPP don’t know crap what she’s doing.
She looks so tricky….always with that “im so intelligent” look
She definitely is tricky and believe me far from innocent she’s only foolong some people.