The Dominica Bar Association (DBA) has refuted statements made by Magistrate Tiyani Behanzin that its members have planned a conspiracy against him, amidst an inquiry to hear complaints brought against him by some persons in the legal fraternity.
The inquiry which was conducted by the Judicial Legal Services Commission (JLSC) convened on March 22, 2010 to investigate reports regarding the conduct of Magistrate Behanzin on the bench. The matter was adjourned sine die on March 23, 2010, and no evidence was heard since Behanzin did not have legal representation.
“Firstly, the DBA categorically refutes lay Magistrate Behanzin’s claims that the complaints now before the JLSC inquiry are essentially by disgruntled lawyers, unhappy about so-called tough or harsh sentences he has imposed upon criminals in order to protect the public,” President of the DBA Levi Peter said at a press conference called to address the matter this morning.
Behanzin claimed his colleagues’ move to oust him as a magistrate here was part of a conspiracy.
However, Peter described Behanzin’s talk as “regrettable and misleading.”, stating that the inquiry was not as a result of lawyers conspiring against him.
“Absolutely none, not a single one of the written complaints made by lawyers and now before the inquiry is in relation to any such sentence, harsh or otherwise,” Peter added.
Chief Magistrate Evelina Baptiste came out in the media last year, accusing Behanzin of involving his personal feelings in his sentences, and for operating outside the law. Behanzin has been popularly known for his tough sentences. But Peter made it clear that those who have complained about the magistrate’s behaviour on the bench are by no means sympathizers and apologists for criminals.
“Again lay Magistrate Behanzin knew or ought to have known that his statement was simply incorrect,” he added.
“Similarly, the lay magistrate’s allegations that there is some grand coalition of conspiracy against him, encompassing the inquiry and presumably the JLSC, by what he terms “the Elites”, and that this conspiracy is directed at him because he is standing up for the “small man” is baseless,” Peter said.
When questioned by the media as to the details of the complaints made against Behanzin, Peter said that he would not divulge that information. He noted however, that none of the complaints referred to the magistrate’s sentencing. He said that the complaints only regarded his conduct as a sitting magistrate.
– Staff reporter
For those of you who believe the rubbish being spewed about the magistrate Behanzin, please look up what one has to do in order to become a barrister in the Uk. When you have done that please read up on what or who is a non practicing barrister, you may very well find that Mr Behanzin has much more practical and useful experience as a lawyer than the chief magistrate.
FIVE OF A KIND. DON’T DRINK OR PARTAKE IN ANYTHING WITH THEM. DO YOUR JOB! YOU ARE THE BEST THAT WE PRESENTLY HAVE..
my counsin, who is a police officer says “criminals scared to go infront mister.” I believe him and that’s just how I’d like it.
Wrong said something about sentencing “considerations” what does that mea? Does it mean that if i murder someone, then because it’s my first murder that should be taken into consideration.
I see, until such time that we have facilities for minors, and drug addicts who shouldn’t really be in the system, build a bigger jail, send everybody infront The Big T, even if is Me and send us up stockie. Because we have a nation to build, and is not because they say development comes with a price we should accept such a high rise in our crime rate. No, i say bring it bacv down to the days when i could walk the cemetry without fear of running into “pick ups and deliveries”. To the days when you could go to the glo chaud or beach without being “napped”. I say leave the man alone, you spineless and gutless creatures.
A2,
And the other extreme of course is that you could be stopped while walking in the cemetery because you walked a certain way or because somebody said something malicious about you.
You get arrested and taken to court and while shivering with nervousness trying to explain, you are told by the Great T that he does not want to hear you, fellas like you should go up to Stockfarm, stay at all you wive’s or mother’s home, he is fed up with all you. Not you and your case, but ALL YOU FELLAS. Suddenly it is not the case in front of him but all the people that have irritated him or done him wrong in his lifetime or that he thinks are a problem to society.
Oh, and he does not want to hear you…. he does not want to hear your damn lies so you can shut your damn mouth. And you are there trying to explain yourself to no avail.
Wo be it if an lawyer there, noticing the travesty of justice, even feels sorry for you and tries to assist as an officer of the Court. No, no. He dare not interrupt or attempt to disagree with the Great T. It is the Great T’s court. He will deal with ALL YOU.
And all you were doing was taking a walk through the cemetery. Do not even think about carrying load for people in Roseau lest a bag of diapers go missing. People have been sent to Stockfarm for six months for that.
Ponder on that.
what i would like to know is whether the young man is within the law for the harsh punishments or is he overiding da law?
i can recall when Mr. Emanuel was ruling in time past, boy dominica was a new place and some complained for political gain but the everyday man and woman of the island was please with his job. what he would say to one journalist was, “a toothpaste may cost 3.00 but the maximum penalty is $1000.00. i would give the maximum and i’m still within da law. Some persons find i’m too harsh but dats the law.”
so i believe in the work dat Mr. Tiyani is doing once he’s within da law. i guess the others might need to take a page from his book. they’re too linient with these offenders or is it dat they are being lenient so they can keep coming back so the same lawyers can make money by representing dem in court all the time.
Behanzin should issue an Islamic Fatwa against the DBA or get Osama bin Ladin involved,his Al Queda brothers could also help him.
From the public response or the massive support for magistrate Douglas it would be prudent to release the complaints filed against Mr Douglas and let the public know whether or not we are actually supporting someone who is unworthy. It seems like the general public is satisfied with the magistrate’s performance and unless the magistrate. By the way we’ve had magistrates who were not trained lawyers.
I doh understand Levi, a possie man like yourself, is Rosie Son, is jealous Levi jealous of Tiyani, Levi was magistsrate in possie,… he saw money to make in having his own law office, he live the magistracy and run and open office in possie… tell Levi to go look for work to do and live Tiyani alone, he doing a dam good job, possie in peace since he come, live our boy alone, Levi should be shame of himself; we now want Tiyani to take up the mantle, where his father left off and maybe let Ian take a back seat in politics, even Ian is a better lawyer than Levi
Its that same Evalina Baptist who gave Mable (grazy lady) a court date to return to court for loitering in the vicinity of the Court – or else???
What is wrong with these people? They are the ones who have the crime rate increasng in DA. I am so impressed with Mr. Behanzin. This man is a professional at the highest core and that’s what Evalina can’t tolerate. Wonder Why? HMMM.
Them lawyers just full of s*** just look what one did in wesley the same one who complained about tuyani she let bruney out on attemted murder for 10k now tell me the man have a long list of trouble and you let him out? couple days after he walking around robbing people and walking with a cutlas….The dba should look into that… leave he dam man alone.
DBA, you backing up on the wrong tree. LEAVE MY MAGISTRATE IN PEACE!!! Go and find work to do.
I think Magistrate Tiyani Behanzin is overreacting with some of his statements he has made.
It is clear he wants to curb the rising state of lawlessness in Dominica and he should be applauded for that. However he must work within the confines of the law and that is where things get sticky.
You see the majority of the laws we have in our books were written when there was a kinder, gentler Dominica. The frequency and the horrendous styles of crimes being committed today were not in the minds of the people who wrote our laws back then. Hence our laws appears to be, and is, soft.
I think Magistrate Behanzin will have more impact if he calls or start crusading to have some of these laws amended to reflect our present situations.
Didnot the statement say “Not one complaint is about his sentencing”?It more about the man personality,accent,disrespect etc.
so all folks are asking is where?when?how?to whom? etc so we can’t even ask that?
will a proper lawyer please explain to us normals what this iall about?
Money is the root of all evil and right now d/ca have alot of drug money floating around.The problem is just too deep for tyrani alone.Mr douglas there are other places that would welcome u on their judicial bench.Leave Dominicans in their mess, u alone cannot fight all them Devils.
Remember His Worship Emanuel? “YOU FOLLOW” the very one, until someone decided they are not going to jail or paying any fine… they called someone up in Ministry and he was removed from the bench, no one came to his defense.
He followed the law to the letter and all was well until one decide no way; Here`s His Worship Behanzin, exactly what are they after or what are there intentions. I see no basis, have been a member of the gallery for all of his court sessions and found nothing wrong in his sentencing. They are lucky I am not up there, I should have applied for the job as we so desperately need Magistrates Like Tiyani to teach these criminals a lesson of the law.
He uses the very written laws of the land to sentence these criminals, yet there are those who see the bank accounts stagnant as the criminals who are being sent up. how does the saying go? ” UP TO PRISON YOU MUST GO” By jolly and that is exactly what he is doing within the boundaries of the law. I wonder why any member of the DBA besides His Worship Behanzin put themselves forward to be magistrates so that we can have a good nights sleep. When will I be able to sleep with my windows open and my doors unlocked?!
Evalina should be the one under the microscope, where is she now … Mrs. Dyer should have been slapped with contempt of court and locked up for three days. The law books need to be revisited and Magistrates should be left alone to carry out the peoples business. I really would not like to see what happen over thirty hears ago where Parliament now stands. Dominicans, rally around and behind His Worship Tiyani Behanzin, he needs you, all of you that your little girls and boys can be safe, your sisters, aunts mothers brothers can walk safe, live safely and be able to walk the streets at anytime and not made to feel like a prisoner in your own home.
Criminals should not be left to walk the streets, and yes, lock them up when they deserve to and throw away the keys. Especially these Child Molesters,Pedophiles, Rapists, Murderers. There parts of the world where the hand is chopped off for Stealing, where one is stoned to death, where the Wedding Tackles are chopped off for Raping, and executed for murdering…
I SAY BRING BACK CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, MAYBE THEN JUST MAYBE WE CAN SLEEP WITH OUR WINDOWS AND DOORS OPEN AND UNLOCKED.
We are rooting for you your Worship, hang in there – if they do not want you there, there are many countries around the world who needs you. keep up the good work, I look forward to seeing you on the bench again when I take leave from my Practice in the British Overseas Territories.
Esq. QC LLB LLM LLC
with all those llm’s, llb’s you still sound very inexperienced!
Do you have an axe to grind?Why don’t you let us know because we have stated where we stand and for whom.You go all over this blog acting like a child.
Think rationally before coming on here and making shallow responses that have no basis.People need to think before they “talk”.
Why should I speak as I am suppose to for someone with very high education, when most of you in here do not do justice to the English Language; Hence my having to speak and express myself in simpler terms just so arrogant individuals like yourself “Letter I” to better understand my comments. I may have my LLM, LLB, LLC; I worked and studied very hard for them and put myself thru law school to be where I am today. I also have alot of common sense, do not let those Law Letters after my name make the statement, but the fact that the person who has them is as simple day and night with cut throat traits. Look on the bright side, I am a Queens Counsel; now I did not come by that Title, as a matter of fact – I am not at issue here, I like being simple and if you did not understand my simple comment, then you are only here to criticize as most of us Dominicans do
good day to you!
Mr. MAX, a rapist haven’t pass by your daughter,or mother or wife yet,
for you to overstand … and stop talking like that.
Remember, the IRON MAGISTRATE CAME TO SAVE DOMINICA.
yes max u seems o have all the answers, but i hope they will stand up and represent the families who loose their loved ones due to the knife of the doctor who keeps cutting with no sense of wat is to be cut . we need them to stand up and peak out and represent them. we need them t vote with us to get the doctors who should not be cutting ppl up to stop and they r the ones we need to give a ticket out of dominica.dont you no it’s number 3 to die after being operated on by the same hand.
We Dominicans are very love to be the laughing stock. We do not like it when someone challenge the status quo. The Hon Earl William (wink, wink) did all his legal or non legal affairs which we all know is atill questionable, the question now, is where was the DBA?.. I applaud Magestrate Tiyani. You have to be hidding uner a rock , to deny the fact that the lawyers are not happy with how he is handling the situation in Dominica, he is like a rain storm, exposing the raven after the storm is over, so its time to clean up expose them, Tiyani, keep up the good work.
We need more men like Mr. Behanzin on the bench to bench them bad boys…
my boy Behanzi forget ALL THE NEGATIVE COMMENT AND ALL THAT S……… YOU’RE DOING A DAMN GOOD JOB AND YOU DESERVE RESPECT. I BELIEVE THAT THIS CHIEF OF MAGISTRATE FEEL THAT U MIGHT OVER THROW HER … I CANT UNDERSTAND!!!!!!!!!! YOU SUPPOSE TO BE GETTTING MAGISTRATE OF THE MONTH EVERY MONTH BECAUSE YOU ARE REAL. YOU LOOKING FOR ALL THE CRIMES AND ILLIGAL ACTIVITIES TO STOP. WHERE AS SHE LOOKING FOR IT TO COMNTINUE FOR HER TO KEEP A JOB…. OH NO THAT DONT WORK SO NOT IN DA.. THE ONLY PEOPLE WILL LEARN IF THEY TAKE NOTE OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF THEY EVEN GET CAUGHT. BEHANZI I LOVE YOUR JOB KEEP T UP AND WALK WITH YOUR HEAD HIGH DONT EVEN LOOK DOWN WE WILL GUIDE YOU……DONT LEAVE ELSE WE WILL SUFFER. KEEP ON STOPPING THE CRIMES AND VIOLENCE AND LET THE OTHER MAGISTRATES FOLLOW U CAUSE YOU GOT YOUR HEADS ON….
The President of the Bar Association, Levi Peter, keeps referring to Mr. Benhanzin as “lay Magistrate.”
Is Mr Benhanzin not legally trained? What is the difference between a Magistrate and a “lay magistrate?”
Chip of the old block.
If they have him disbarred, then it’s a matter of time before they cause him to loose his job…see where this seems to be going?
hmmm….He seems to be putting a kink in the ‘old boys network’s’ armor.
I am not a supporter of Behanzin, but I would tend to agree that the so-called lawyers, with their petit bourgeois friends are in disagreement with this magistrate because he is impartial and hands down justice as it should.
Tell the DBA and their papi – sho Council to leave the man alone. Gone are the days when only rich peole children could be lawyers and magistrates.
Leave the magistrate do his job!!
You all are the BIG TREE, and Tiyani is the SMALL AXE.He can’t be touched. You all have to bring up your standards.He can’t lower his to suit you all.
The Pesident “Peter” of the DBA didnt answer the questions or explained anything therefore he should never go to the media, on the other hand Peter could not divulged much because he was afraid they would oust him. Why is it some folks in D’ican believe they are more educated than others and we should just accept whenever they say Peter smoke doesn’t come out without a fire so get you story together because we stand with Behanzin he is doing a good job.
Behanzin we are behind you all the way and Evelina Baptiste check youself at the door.
All the lawyers worry about is making their big money from the criminals. One day the truth must come out. Birds of a feather flock together. 99 days for the criminals but 1 day for the police. No lawyer or association will run Tiyani. The people will not let it happen.
The lawyers in Dominica think that they can get criminals out by favours with the magistrates. This God sent is using the law and they are teaming up against him.
Where they when other Lawyers are stealing their clients money?
They are the ones to have investigated the matter when the first report was made.
They should have been there to protect the Public, so that other inocent persons
would not also, lost their money
To date they still haven’t done or said any thing on that issure. The said Lawyer is walking the streets of the Bronx NY…
Right on !! My thoughts exactly .
Are members of the Bar Association expressing ‘Compassion Fatigue”? A state experienced by those helping people in distress; it is an extreme state of tension and preoccupation with the suffering of those being helped to the degree that it is traumatizing for the helper.
Folks at risk for Compassion fatigue are exposed to second-hand stress–journalists, clergy, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical responders and defense lawyers as well.
But is the magistrate administering justice and sentencing people without mercy and compassion? While we have a crime problem in Dominica you cannot lock everybody up and throw away the keys. That is what the magistrate appears to be doing. I must applaud the Bar Association for standing up.
But the larger picture is not with the magistrate or the Bar Association; it is really our society that is failing. Take a survey of who is receiving the harsher and longer sentences and you will find out that it is disproportionately the lesser fortunate members of our society. I am not taking about child molesters, murderers and their like—they need to be put away for life. But how much can you punish a petty thief or a guy smoking a joint?
I applaud the Bar Association and I think this magistrate’s days are numbered and he should catch the next flight out of DA. If he chooses to stay in DA he should not continue to be a magistrate in the interest to our country doing the same thing. The lawyers’ are fed up with him and yes even though they are business people and get $$$$$ from their clients, they also get emotionally close to them and their families as well. They are human beings and they see pain and suffering in the eyes of family members and the accused and sentenced.
Tiyani if you are soo brilliant maybe you can start implementing something like alternative sentencing such as boot camp or reparations. I think your arrogance finally did you in.
Poor you max,
The only reason you feel that the poor malaway is who getting the harsh sentences is because these are the ones that they continue to send before Behanzin. So by all means, whoever comes to that courtroom will feel the heat.
The upper class thief and rapist and murderers hardly come before Behanzin, because they know what will happen. So before you run your mouth, blame the DBA for allowing the high class criminals to get off softly when they go before these corrupt magistrates with their corrupt lawyers, and don’t try to blame Behanzin because everybody who comes in his courtroom will feel.
Case in point, see what Ma Dyer do? If I was the High Court Judge, I was sending her right back to magistrate Court for her lack of Respect!
… if these ignorant people are allowed to get away with whatever their scheme is then God help Dominica!
It’s about time they face up to the fact that their game is up and that they need to change and start acting as one worthy of a position in that profession. I would like to see them go anywhere else in this world with their backwardness and see how long they would last.
No good or effective Magistrate is supposed to be Mr. Nice. If Tiyani is an ugly person then I thank God and would ask him to send some uglier ones to help clean up this place like a real nasty chief of police! Yes that way we would all be able to sleep soundly with all our doors and windows open.
Well said Smurfy, I totally agree with u my friend. If crimes are not committed criminal lawyers wont have a job to do, to represent people, so in order to facilitate themselves they must mentain this niche of clients.
Nice try…..you all are disappointed that tiyani didn’t get fired. I pray that crime starts happening under the beds of those who defends criminals. Disruntled set of Lawyers. I an suprised at Vida, the secretary. …she even complaining? I vex. Stupes!!!
Levi Peter is just a disgruntled man. What is eating him is that he never had the impact on the little people like Tiyani has when he was a magistrate… He is just getting his feet wet as a practicing lawyer and as a result he is there kissing the a** of the lawyers. Another thing is that being president of the Bar went up in his head and all of a sudden the man thinks he is it…..oh please, the members of the bar make more than you anyway. Behave yourelf and go hide. I am ashamed of you man.
The guilt on your faces says a lot.Leave Tiyani in peace.We need more magistrates like him so that the criminals will think twice. SET OF GUILTY FACES!!!!
I have read with a fair level of disbelief some of the articles written on this matter. The Bar Association has a bone to pick with Mr. Behanzin and the public (you and me) also need to know the facts. I do not know the facts and will leave it at that and will not pass judgement.
What many of our readers have not understood from this article is that Mr. Behanzin is not a TRAINED LAWYER, hence the quote by the Bar Association, “Again LAY Magistrate Behanzin knew or ought to have known that his statement was simply incorrect,”
Finally, the Bar Association does not have to explain anything to the public, their concern is to bring its complaints to the appropriate authority, “Judicial Legal Services Commission” (JLSC). Note also that it’s the Judicial Legal Services Commission (JLSC) who appointed Mr. Behanzin and they are the one to hear his complaints and to adjudicate one way or the other.
Such cases cannot be decided by the Court of Public Opinion or on the Trade Union Steps at Lagoon. Let’s not be too busy to judge fellow Dominicans.
Who are you to say that Tiyani is not a trained Lawyer. Do you know his Background. Some of you chat before having the full facts.
No matter what happens in this matter the eyes of Dominicans are open to the corruptions that is taking place in the legal fraternity and it will be cleaned up one way or the other. Some to these half bit Lawyers need to take a back step.
Tiyanna just keep strong and keep doing your work to the best of your ability. The only judgement you have is with God and when you go to bed you can sleep at night with a very clear mind.
Very wrong on that score !! Tiyani trained in London as a barrister (City University) and was called to the Bar in London in 2007
Do not answer these people,let them continue to spread all their propaganda.They are surprised they didnot know the D/can public was in the mix.
Personally the Bar Association should be ashamed of itself.You mean Tiyani has caused all you to have press conference.This man is the only respected magistrate in Dominica.He has been doing such a tremendous job that he has brought and exposed a myriad of legal persons in DA to shame.
He is the one who has the fortitude to stand up to crime and criminals in this country.
DONT TOUCH THIS MAN. RESPECT HIM!!!!!!
woye!!!!!!!!!! according to evangalist peter augustine DONT TOUCH THIS DIAL! i’m reading da comments, quite interesting all of dem.
lol
D.B.A making a fool of yourself…total failure….
The bar association need to shut up and learn to respect the court system. They cannot get Tiyani on his sentencing so by whatever means they will try a ting. Yeah go ahead and attack his behaviour. But just remember you need to first address the behavior of your bar association members and set examples before you attack the magistrate. Attorneys in Dominica and St. Lucia in particular have become very disrespectful, dishonest and conniving if you ask me. All they care about is making money by any means possible.
I find the bar association too hypocrite if you ask me. After they make all their daygargemah with him them they want to come to his court and win cases? But, he is a fair man and I am sure he can look beyond that petty jealousy and serve the people with admiration as he has done in the past.
Since Mr. Behanzin is so into facts and figures, criminal matters are only a fraction of the type of cases that he deals with. I would like to know, how well is he handling the other areas of law that he sits on and why is there no discussion about these areas. Is criminal law the only type of law or is that what can be sensationalized and gain him the attention he is seeking.
Mr. Behanzin is first and foremost a politician and people should be wise to remember that.
With respect to Mrs. Dyer, you did not hear her or Mr. Lewis on the radio talking, did you? There are a number of cases all over the world where lawyers have literally fought each other on the court house steps. Judges have cited lawyers for contempt from time to time. Lawyers fight in court and within certain rules.
I am not saying Mrs. Dyer is right, but she has never run away from an inquiry. She has always had the guts to face any inquiry and some s*** has been thrown at her which would make Tiyani bawl like a baby.
Get some balls Tiyani.
This conspiracy theory is so silly I have to laugh.
some of ur statement is correct. i tell u in the larger countries we will be surprise to see what goes on in the court room.
just maybe Mr. tiyani has brought with him some practices our lawyers are not use to here in little dominica.
but i would really like all this to be settle and our lawyers come together and serve the dominican public justly.
Correction. Behanzin didn’t run away from the inquiry. Legal affairs provided the guy with no Lawyer so the judge adjourned the matter. You people are soo bitter that u make stories to suit yourself. Stupes!!
to clarify,
by ‘ have their back’ I was not referring solely to criminal matters but to a whole range of issues including family and business matters. People tell lawyers things they do not even tell their own mother or even their priest…
If Tiyani is doing wrong and is getting public support, it means that the DBA has some questions to ask itself.
What they call harsh sentencing etc., well.. they say the allegations are unknown to the public, has been admired by the Dominican public because people are fed up with crime and criminals walking free.
The lawyers should stand up as they are now and fight for legal reform in the areas needed. In the name of being good lawyers and defense attorneys, too many of our children are losing their lives to guns and crack cocaine, and our respectable, law abiding, God fearing lawyers seat and cash the fat cheques after victoriously defending the drug lords, murderers and kidnappers.
After all, who wants legal reform when loopholes are what helps us to cash in bloated checks?
Unfortunately, Tiiyani ‘appears’ to be the one defending the cause of the people because of his sentencing. Like some of our political leaders, the DBA must listen to the voice of the people, but most of all, check their conscience.
We are awaiting some interesting cases this year, let’s see what happens.
But here it is again the Lawyers level of disrespect for the magistrates and more so the Courts. Refer to the article regarding Ma Dyer’s behavior..
Good job to the Bar Assocition. You dealt with the matter with the utmost dignity becoming of people who are part of this profession. From time immemorial the public has taken lawyers to task but you keep doing your jobs….fighting for your clients. The very public which professes to hate the lawyers trust you enough to bare their souls in your chambers knowing that you have their back.
It is good that you adhered to the ethical behaviour required of you as lawyers and did not sling mud in public as Mr. Behanzin has chosen to do. As you rightly said there are ways to deal with the issues which have come up and Mr. Behanzin ought to know better. Lawyers, in whatever position they work whether as magistrate’s, judges, cousel have always argued and sometimes fought each other but at the end they should understand their roles and maintain their duty to the court, to the client and above all respect for the judicial system.
It was about time you guys said something. Tiyani has been misleading the public for too long. However, the bar association should also consider educating the public so they can gain better understanding of the law, the roles of officers of the court, the legal processes, so people like Tiyani cannot take them so easily for a ride.
Too late,the ball is rolling.
i can’t wait to see de outcome of this commission, so many against one man. Mind u people it doesnt mean that the majority is right.
what we are not being told is what are the tings that Mr. Tiyani is doing wrong or maybe the public should not know.
PLEASE HELP US UNDERSTAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If the objective of this press conference was clarification of the reason why Behanzin is being investigated then it failed miserably.
If Behanzin’s sentences were within the confines of the law, obviously they couldn’t take him to court for the sentences, eg if the penalty for theft is 5-10 years and he gave the full 10 yrs while they expected 5 he is still acting within the law.
Eric Cartman,
you are incorrect in your statement about sentencing and clearly not a lawyer. Because if you were a properly trained lawyer you would understand sentencing considerations and guidelines and you would not make this type of statement. People clearly need the correct kind of legal education.
“Peter noted however, that none of the complaints referred to the magistrate’s sentencing.” So if his sentencing is not the issue, then what is? I believe the Dominican public deserve to know.
Is it that;
1) The the Lawyers see too many of their client going to prison,
2) Which will in-turn make the Criminals/Clients lose confidence in them
3) And as a result they will start losing money?
4) Or is it just that they promote or protect Criminality on the Island, do these people really care about the increasing level on the island or are they happy because it gives them the opportunity to represent criminals and make money?
Yep….Dominicans need to know.
Mr. President stop trying to fool us. Only now? Yes, only now you seem to have an explanation because you see all the support the magistrate is getting. Wow, that is truly suspect. You would have scored more points and support if you had come on here telling us about the steps the so called bar association is taking reference Ma Dyer’s outburst and disrespect for the honorable court and magistrate Lewis. Now, go back to your corner and wait until you have a decent answer or explanation then wheel and come again. I cant help but notice how much the judiciary has changed. I guess when criminals pay big bucks they expect results and since that will not be guaranteed regardless of the big bucks then those objective magistrates are now punching bags for all by any means necessary.
Dominicans should not believe anything comming from the DBA … With Mr. Tiyani on the bench, he is a threat to the corrupt system and the DBA is bent on having Mr. Tiyani removed. As a citizen of DA I will stand by Mr. Tiyani, the law is the law and it should be a applied in such a way as to deter crime. All the … lawyers of the DBA must straighten their ways because we the citizens of Dominica are ready to take back our country from them and the criminals they support.
You have my full support Mr. Tiyani.
Yow I agree with you! If I was in DA I would shake your big toe!
Just look at their faces in that picture! DBA : Damn Bobol Association, ” let the magistrate do his damn thing…
I must compliment Mr. Behanzin on trying to curb some of the lawless behaviors that have been taking place in the country. When it comes to most, if not all of the sentences he has handed down, I must say he has done a good job because too many people just think that they can do whatever they want and get away with it. too many murderers and other criminals are walking away free and with very light sentences. It is time someone take the lead and send a message out there, that this is not right and will not be tolerated. On the other hand though, when it comes to Mr. Behanzin’s behavior in the court room towards both lawyers and accused, I must say it is very disrespectful not only to them but to the office of magistrate and the court of law. I personally had the opportunity to witness Mr. Behanzin’s behavior in the court and I must say it was suprising and rather appauling the way he spoke to the lawyer. It was with total disrespect. The lawyer is being paid to do a job and he should do it to the best of his ability whether he belives his client is guilty or not. Mr. Behanzin on the other hand should do his job within the confinment of the law and with respect.
All you people too “twett”……… What are you really trying to say? Just say what you want to say. In one breath you complimenting Tiyani for good sentencing and in the same breath you saying he is disrespectful. Disrespectful to who??? He is the Magistrate. Magistrates and Judges take charge of their court. Is serious business. And if you dont like it, stay away from it. You want Ma Dyer and others to treat him like how they treating Ossie. That is the way the court should be run. It is the Magistrate Court and not the Lawyers Court. We have the right man at the right time!!!! Good job Tiyani!!!! Let no man tell you what to do. If they dont like it, they can appeal.