A total of 354 cases are listed for hearing at the Criminal Session of the Demerara Assizes which opened on Tuesday.
Leading the number of cases is sexual offences, Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC revealed at the opening ceremony held at the Georgetown High Court.
There are 174 sexual offence cases listed to be heard and 75 murder cases with all suspects incarcerated.
“Sexual offences are prevalent and contribute to the largest number of hearing cases,” the DPP stated.
She said it is fundamental that all cases are heard in a fair and reasonable time.
Meanwhile, the DPP also said she is looking forward to ending paper-based files being used to investigate matters by the police and which is submitted to her for advice.
According to the DPP, the paper-based files greatly affect the Magistrates’ Court where all criminal cases are initially heard; this is followed by the High Court and Court of Appeal.
She emphasised that the paper-based files pose a safety risk to officers handling them given the prevailing pandemic.
For the system to be changed, reliable internet service and trained personnel is required.
Ali-Hack said that once an electronic system is in place, only the DPP, police and judicial system will have access.
