More convictions expected with launch of Prosecutors’ Code

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Tuesday launched the Prosecutors’ Code that sets out standards that all bodies which institute charges will be expected to apply.

DPP’s Director, Shalimar Ali-Hack told a gathering at Pegasus Hotel that once the approach is applied, there would be more convictions and courts would be able to move more expeditiously.

This, she said, would have a direct impact on both the backlog of cases as well as the overcrowding of the prisons. It should also result in the reduction of the crime rate since there would be a higher conviction rate and this should serve as a deterrent.

“Prosecutors need to appreciate that the focus must be on completing investigations in a timely manner before instituting charges, institute solid cases, which will yield the convictions and encourage persons to plead guilty,” the DPP urged prosecutors.

She challenged the Guyana Police Force and other agencies to “follow this recipe and let us improve the whole criminal justice system in Guyana.”

Deputy Commissioner of the Guyana Police Force, Paul Williams acknowledged the importance of the Police to know the codes and apply it during the process of prosecutions. He said that this initiative is critical to the force’s performance.

Other agencies for which the codes will be applied to include the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).

A similar code has already been implemented in the Caribbean Islands of Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, St. Lucia and Dominica. (Extracted and modified from Department of Public Information)