Magistrate Tiyani Behanzin is Dominica News Online’s Personality of the Year.
Behanzin emerged above other candidates for his unwavering determination, despite a barrage of criticism, to combat rising crime in Dominica with stern sentences.
Behanzin, formerly Robert Douglas, is the son of Dominica’s fifth Prime Minister, deceased Roosevelt Douglas and Ruffin Nicholas of St. Joseph.
He took his oath of office here in March 2009, and has since received a lash from critics and a pat on the back from supporters. However, Behanzin is not moved; he has made it clear that he is not a politician and is therefore not concerned with gaining popularity.
Behanzin graduated in 1991 from the University of Concordia, formerly the Sir George Williams University in Canada with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. He subsequently obtained a Master’s Degree in International Law from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom. He was called to the Bar in England and Wales in 2006.
When he returned to Dominica to take his oath of office as a magistrate, money was not an incentive. “It has to be about your heart. It has to be about the quality of life. It has to be about whether you are returning for something bigger than yourself. If it is about salary, you will never come home,” he told the media moments after he was sworn in.
He described his new position as “a realization of a dream and a homecoming, as well as akin to an ethos to my duty of a public servant.” He has also described himself as public-spirited and stated that his passion lies with service for country.
In return for his seemingly tough stance on crime, Behanzin had to contend with overturned sentences, disgruntled colleagues, and attempts to keep him from certain sittings of the court. The backlash took on an even more sinister and dangerous twist when Behanzin received death threats earlier this year.
“First of all, I go wherever I want to go in this country. Nobody has ever told me when and where I cannot go in this country,” he said, brushing aside the threats.
He has expressed belief that there is an organized conspiracy to remove him from the bench, and accused offenders have pleaded not to appear before him.
Nevertheless, in September Behanzin imposed a fine of half a million dollars on a Caibishie man for drug-related offences. Luford George of Calibishie was fined $500,000 and was ordered to pay quarter of a million immediately or face seven years in prison. In addition, George was also given a suspended fine of EC$138, 000 (US$51,110) which he would have to pay if convicted of a similar offence within a two-year period.
This decision triggered a public response from Chief Magistrate Evelina Baptiste. She, like many of the Behanzin’s critics, thought his line of sentencing too harsh. She accused her colleague of allowing his personal feelings to get in the way of his judgment on the bench.
Meanwhile, a report about the fiery magistrate was allegedly sent to the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC) in August. Legal Affairs Minister Ian Douglas -Behanzin’s cousin – has since clarified that the government had requested an investigation by the St. Lucian-based JLSC into the strength and weaknesses of allegations against Behanzin.
How does one respond to all this pressure? Less than two months after taking his oath of office, Behanzin threatened to resign. He has since scrapped that option and continues to make his mark on the legal system.
ONLOOKER AND FOOLISHNESS, i AGREE WITH YOU ALL 100% ! !
MR BEHENZIN, MAY THE HEAVENLY FATHER GUIDE YOU AND KEEP YOU, MAY THE LIGHT OF HIS COUNTENANCE SHINE UPON YOU , AND MAY HIS FACE CONTINUE TO SHINE UPON YOU MAY HIS BLESSED PEACE BE YOURS.
YOU ARE THE ONLY SANE MAGISTRATE THIS COUNTRY HAS SEEN IN A VERY LONG TIME.
Believe it or not I like this gentleman!
For the first time in my life I can say I feel very proud of a legal professional in our country. Anyone who is different, and do not succumb to the status quo will not be a loved man, you sir have done the right thing as long as you deal with the culprits according to, and guided by the law in dispensing the sentence as written down in the law you should be able to live with yourself, and your conscience.
Legal men as you are long overdue in Dominica!
Keep up your good work, perhaps others may regard you as a trail blazer, and follow in your footpath. We now need judges to sit on our supreme court who could find the commonsense to help them recognize that deoxyribonucleic (DNA) acid evidence is recognized all over the world, they also can use DNA evidence to put away the murderers who slaughter our citizens without mercy just because they know when they get to trial, some attorney will pull the judge on a side and get him/her to act outside of the law, and set the criminal they are defending free.
Great work sir, you have my blessings:
I love you, period!
THE LAW IS FOR THE LAWLESS THERFORE IF THE LAW IS NOT ENFORCED WE HAVE A NATION WHERE IT BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO LIVE IN. THE LAW HAS TO BE ENFORCED FOR THE WELL BEING OF ALL AND I APPLAUD MR. BEHANZIN FOR DOING JUST THAT.WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THE WORLD IS BEING AFECTED BY PEOPLE WHO DO NOT OBEY LAWS OF THEIR NATIONS.IF THE LAWS OF THE LAND ARE ENFORCED AND PEOPLE ARE PUNISHED TO THE FULL EXTENT THEN THERE WILL BE A DECREASE IN CRIME .INSTEAD OF BEING CRITICAL OF MR BEHANZIN WE NEED TO JOIN FORCES WITH HIM TO ENSURE THE STABILITY OF OUR NATION.I APPLAUD YOU SIR AND MAY OTHER JUDGES /MAGISTRATES FOLLOW SUIT.TOO MANY TIMES CRIMINALS GET A FREE RIDE OR WHAT I CALL A REWARD FOR THEIR CRIMES.
Like President OBAMA, although a short time in a position of authority, but given a deserving acolade to determine the well being of our Community for the long term
Finally someone with the Testicular fortitude to deal with crime and deter would be criminals?
Two questions I have for those critics. Why is crime so high in a little country like DA? Why do you think so many people leaving DA for other counties even those on our borders? When you can answer those questions you will get the solution.
As for the head magistrate, tell her this is why those criminals dont respect the courts and the rule of law. Her petty sentences fro crime that warrants stiff penalties and for petty crimes ridiculous sentences that does not fit the crime.
Do you have any idea of how much millions those drug dealers make? what is $500,000?
It’s past time someone act.
God bless you, Sir
Dominica sure seems to have changed for the worse in terms of criminal behavior.I commend justice beyanhin for his toughness and i hope he stands firm in his determination to rid dominica of some of the more violent elements of our society.Obviously he can’t do it by himself, but if some of the other judges can help him stabilize the crime in DA, it could make a big difference.as long as he follows the rule of law. We expect a tough judge in dominica, nothing less. we don’t want to play games like they do here in the united states with hardcore criminals.He didn’t have to come to dominica to practice, because dominica cannot pay him for his services- he is doing it out of a sense of duty to his country.He may be harsh, but i bet those so-called tough guys are sreaming bloody -murder when they have go before him.Keep the pressure up on them, but follow the rule of law .If someone shows a willingness to change, they should be given that opportunity, but if they want to make a career of that lifestyle, they should be treated accordingly!!!
oooo, he’s a hottie! Great choice, DNO. we need more magistrates like him here. Don’t you ever back down, Tiyani, we need you.
As a Dominican living in the uk for the pass 48yrs i make my buisnes to follow whats happenning at home i must say some of the news on crime coming out of Dominica is not good i left home at the age of 16yrs old,we never had such criminal behavier so i am so please to here of mr Bihanzin long may he reign and God bless him
keep your head up tiyani the law abiding citizens of d/a are wit you.merry christmas to you and all the best for the new year.
Good choice DNO. Good is watching this young man. With God on his side, justice shall surely flourish in our days and peace shall last much longer. Best wishes DNO. Best wishes Tiyani.
I am very happy with this decision. A heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Behanzin for his outstanding performance in the field of law.
Us Dominicans need to be more appreciative of what we have. Too often we ask for change but we always complain when it isn’t as we wanted it. For too long the crime levels have been rising above its customary pinnacle causing others to be fearful. This has definitely changed since Mr.Behanzin stepped up so Dominicans need to stop complaining!!
Wat do we prefer: to throw Behanzin out of office and give criminals the upper hand to committ crimes? OR to let Behanzin do his oustanding job and force criminals to behave themselves or go to prison?
It would be interesting to know the reason behind the name change and why that specific name.
VERY JUSTLY CHOSEN. MAY THE GOOD LORD PROTECT YOU. MORE THAN EVER BEFORE ,WE NEED PEOPLE LIKE YOU IN LOVELY DOMINICA.
Congrats Mr. Behanzin. I guess the Chief Magistrate must be eating her heart off riight now. I wish you all wonderful things in the new year and keep on protecting us. Here’s a little secret…. (I have a major crush on you and I am longing for the day when we will start speaking. I hope you have no g/f)
Good pick DNO, he deserves it, we need more like him. To Mr.Behan zen “no weapon formed against u shall prosper” Dios te bendiga.
excellent choice for your person of the year…
Behanzin has chosen to be a doer by taking the bull by the horn in the fight against crime. conversely you lemon of the year should go to the chief magistrate who disappointed so obadly with her public admonishment of Behanzin and her apparent provision of comfort to the criminals in our midst
Fare not my BROTHER, you will be protected by the” MOST HIGH” and your father’s guide.
DA is mystical and procted by that mystic,this is why you are doing what you are doing.
DA needs cleansing and you are selected.The haters among you just care about making money that why they intice the crime, so they can defend the criminals and line there pockets.
Amist all the bull&%$*@@ that go down in Da this year.You are a ray of hope that Da ain’t dead yet.
TO my family; to YOU; to the people of DA that are hoping for a brighter and peacful 2010.
SEASONS GREETINGS and good TIDINGS. ONE LOVE JAH GUIDE;
good choice DNO you are my choice for information on DA out there.
THANK YOU.
continue to be nonpartisan.
Congratulations Mr. Behanzin. Keep upthe Good Work.
hats off to u DNO for chosing mr BIHANZIN as man of the year ,it was time for we dominican to have some one like him .u commit a crime u ought to pay the time . so keep ur head high sir .
I wish there were more judges like Mr. Behanzin around in Dominica. The streets would be a little cleaner and maybe some criminals would think twice before committing an illegal act.
Congratulations Mr. Behanzin, keep up the good work. There will always be criticisms (that’s typical in DA), but the most important thing is rising above negative comments. You are one of the best things that have happen to Dominica in a long time.
Continue to teach those criminals a lesson … I don’t think you are harsh at all in fact great work. I don’t know you but I appreciate the work you’ve done so far – you will always have my vote!
GOOD CHOICE DNO, THIS IS DESERVING, THE PUNISHMENT IN THIS COUNTRY IS NOT STERN ENOUGH THATS WHY TO SOME PEOPLE U ARE OUT OF PLACE BUT I WILL SAY U ARE RIGHT ON THE BALL, CONTINUE WHAT U ARE DOING MAYBE THE HEAD OF THE COUNTRY WILL TAKE A PAIGE FROM YOUR BOOK
GREAT I wish you were the Magistrate that dealt with the bail application for Shakes et al, Iknow where they would be spending Christmas. SMDH a@ these other Judges
Can’t wait to see Mr. Skerrit before you!!
The DNO has taken the appropriate lead in giving a necessary acolate for such a short time in the Magistracy, now then, let us hear the reaction of the Dominica Bar Association with a similar deserving acolate.
I CHALLENGE
Great choice.
people like you we need in Dominica. Criminals need to look out, we need to lower the crime and illegal drugs in Dominica. You are on the right path.
Magistrate Tiyani was needed in this Community for a long time. This method of sentencing is the only way to alleviate the escalation of crime in Dominica. His method may be for a duration when it is noticed that the reduction of crime is imminent, until then, Dominica’s legal system in the magistracy needs at least THREE TIYANI BEHANZIN and be sure the Country will be much better for this. Hold on my Friend, you sure have your supporters believe me in surprising places especially for the beautiful town of PORTSMOUTH
Great choice DNO. Mr. Behanzin had always been a person with integrity ever since he was a boy
growing up in HELL STREET in Senjo. It is good to see that he has not let power and position corrupt
him. Keep on fighting crime by handing down sentences that criminals deserve.
GOOD JOB. I am praying for you.
Good job,,, people talking but you stay within the law. It is because we got accustomed with light and minimum punshiments that some people believe you are tough. Any criminal has to pay I say
Hey Bro , You keep you head up high. more like in our lovely isle Dominica will do just fine, keep the Gunmen off the strrets.
Congratulations and please continue the good work. Law abiding citizens applaud your efforts and stand behind you. For those of you who can not control yourselves and have no respect for yourselves or other people and their property, we now have a good man sitting at the head of a system designed to deal with you. Good luck in the New Year.
Most deserving. This is the a well thought-of choice. Good work DNO.
First off, congratulations to you man. It’s been a while since I have been praying that someone come along and take the reigns of justice in this country. Days of sleeping with your windows open, leaving doors unlocked, and allowing your children to play freely gone down the drains. Criminals will start respecting the law now. Keep it up! Guess we are soon gonna be on the top list of reducing crimes in the Caribbean. Wouldn’t that be nice people?
Mahbrouk ; yarhamkom allah
meaning : congratulations; blessings from allah
big up Mr. Bihanzin and DNO for choosing you
Assalamu Alaikum
Keep up the ggod work. I am praying for you. That is what dominica needs sons and daughters willing to serve. Shame on the lawyers wh critices you. They too should know they are there to uphold law and order not to encourage crime and criminality. well done
That is what Dominica needs. you commit the crime you will do time. More power to you
Too small an island for all that bloody crime, Dominica needs another 5 like you and you would see what would happen.
cheers
Congratulations Tiyani, Dominica certainly needs a lot more like you to keep the So-called BAD BOYZ & GALS at bay
Commendations DNO for going out on a limb and choosing His Honor as your person of the year. Bold choice.
Quite a number of us were aghast at the unwarranted criticisms Mr. Bihanzin received for his stewardship on the bench. For at the time of this lashing, from none other than some in his fraternity, it just seemed that they had a dog in the fight against this precipitous rise in criminality in our midst. And their dog appeared to be the criminals themselves.
Makes one wonder, do they have a vested interest in the proceeds accrued from crime?
Without a doubt, the laws of Dominica – be they for petty crime or the most heinous, if applied as intended, may yet serve as the bulwark against the rising tide.
What we need on and from the bench is men and women of honor and backbone unafraid to enforce the laws of the land equally, fearlessly.
Those who dare to offend civil society by engaging in criminal behavior must know that they will get their day in court and be given the due process they deserve. But they must know, too, that they face the wrath of justice with a comparable sentence when duly found guilty.
There can be no equivocation on the metting out of justice – as law demands, when people break the law.
Remember, the law serves two fundamental purposes: one, (and like it or not) retribution, and two, deterence. This must be the message from Mr. Bihanzin. The rest of the bench would be wise to follow the justice’s lead, if we are to live a Dominica that is little bit more civil.
Again, good choice in Mr. Bihanzin.
Great Job DNO, in total agreement with your choice. More like this man is needed here.
Congrats sir we need more like you around keep up the good work.
good job. I just wish we’d have more like you here.