Missing, reluctant witnesses often lead to dismissed cases- Crime Chief

Crime Chief, Deputy Commissioner Wendell Blanhum on Thursday sought to address public perceptions surrounding criminal cases that are dismissed by the courts, noting that factors beyond the control of investigators often contribute to such outcomes.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a training workshop for investigators and prosecutors, Blanhum said that while police ranks work diligently to build strong cases, they are frequently criticized when matters fail to proceed successfully through the courts.

“While investigators work tirelessly to build strong cases, we often face criticisms when matters are dismissed in court. Commentators frequently argue that acquittals are the result of inordinate delays within the justice system,” Blanhum said.

However, he said the situation is often more complex, explaining that many dismissals stem from challenges involving witnesses.

“The reality is that many dismissals are attributed to external factors such as witnesses being reluctant to attend court or becoming untraceable,” Blanhum said.

He added that public criticism is often directed at the criminal justice system as a whole, rather than at any one agency.

“Unfortunately, the court of public opinion does not blame any single branch of the criminal justice system. Instead, it criticizes the system as a whole. That is why a multifaceted approach is absolutely essential to ensure the criminal justice system remains efficient and effective,” he said.

In Guyana, criminal matters can be dismissed for a variety of reasons, including insufficient evidence, procedural issues or the absence of key witnesses.