President of the Dominica Bar Association Levi Peters and Chief Magistrate Evelina Baptiste have raised issue with what they say are constant attacks on the judiciary in the recent spate of violent crimes in the country.
Six violent murders have been committed in the past two weeks, with the most recent happening Thursday night. This has spurred public debate in which persons have opined what they believe to be contributors to such crimes. Many have blasted the court and justice systems for this social predicament.
Peters and Baptiste, who spoke at a special high court sitting to pay tribute to former Justice Vincent Floissac earlier this week, believes the attacks are “unjustified”.
Peter said that while it is not uncommon for persons to share their opinions on the matter via talk shows and blogs, it is unfair to target the judiciary.
Though citing that the judiciary is not above and beyond criticism, Peters said such criticism should be measured, warranted expressed in ways other than the public medium.
“We are all aware of the recent spate of violent offenses within our community, and some of us may also be aware of the various comments in the media and otherwise as regards the particular matters,” he said.
“It is not uncommon for people to attempt to try these matters in the media and on the blogs and elsewhere rather than leaving them to be tried where they should be tried – in the courts where the evidence can be elicited and decisions can be appropriately made. My particular concern is the tendency to attack the judiciary and I include here the magistracy in that phrase,” he stated.
He said that it would be “a sad situation” if the justice system would be allowed to lose its respect unjustifiably.
“There are proper forums where all such matters can be addressed,” he said. He guaranteed that the Bar Association is ready to share any reasonable comments on the matter.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Evelina Baptiste said some of the attacks are coming “from our own colleagues”.
She said that a magistrate does not act on his own discretion; instead he or she is bound by their own principles along with the statutory guidelines and judiciary precedence under the law.
“It is well known that a magistrate does not act on his own discretion… His business is to apply the law as he sees it,” she stated.
“That time has come for us to have some reasonable discussion on the matter,” she said.
Justice Albert Matthew, one of the sitting judges at the special sitting, said that it was refreshing that the members of the bar were taking up “this topical issue in our society”.
He hoped that some sort of solution is arrived at in the near future.
@I luv the nature Isle:
I am soo glad for this post. Everything that I was about to say, you articulated beautifully…
I have never heard such ‘nonesense’ in one article. This Peters guy is nuts!
The Dominican population has spoken.
Ok so Peters thinks the attacks on him and his buddies are “unjustified”. He thinks it is unfair to target the judiciary.
Then Magistrate Baptiste said that a magistrate does not act on his own discretion; instead he or she is bound by their own principles along with the statutory guidelines and judiciary precedence under the law.
Ok! So I, along with the majority have a problem with that! If you are bound to your principles and statutory guidelines and judiciary precedence, then my dear, I do declare that there is something terribly wrong with these principles. It’s not rocket science. It does not take a genius to figure that one out! (Though I am curious to know what’s on that statue. “Freedom to all criminals” probably?)
You along with your collegues have, time and time again judged and ruled poorly. Let’s bring an end to that please. It’s about time and we’ve had just about enough.
How can you go to bed at nights knowing that you and your collegues have set criminials free? Knowning that justice has not been done and no closure have come to the families and communities who have been wronged?
She says: “It is well known that a magistrate does not act on his own discretion… His business is to apply the law as he sees it,” she stated.
Obviously! That’s why we have a problem. If your business is to apply law as you see it and as a result you rule unfairly, then the people have a business to say that this is wrong and we need a change.
I send lots of cudos to all the collegues of Magistrate Baptist’s who are speaking up against this nonesense…Good job! I congratulate you…those who speak for justice!
I am glad that the bar is taking up the “topical issue of the society”. But I do say that I hope there can be a fair resolution and reduction in corruption and bias.
Be certain that we the Dominian population are looking forward to the rulings on the cases at hand!
it is better to be seen as a fool than to be one ok fools.u to damn hypocrite.i believe dice 100% reality is nothing but image is everything.but wat about those who know better those in high and trusted position whose wrong doings still find public favour.that damn system is not rite.we should not speak openly but u and the coshuny chief magistrate could speak about tiani in the papers and everywhere.where is your work ethics and protocol.shameless.when the head is sick then wat do u expect from the body.chief coshuny u created the monster so then u must kill it.wicked
Well you all need to sit down and talk about how you will sentence… harshest of sentences for child abuse, and murder adn so on. hwo can you rape my childeand after 3 years you out to go and rape another one????????????????????WTF? I woudl kill someone first, tehn you will have to lock me up, and i hope I get less than 3 years too.
Give lighter sentences for a man stealing food, and smoking some ganga. harsh penalties for people selling and dealing in coke, cocaine, heroin and crack.
How is is that marijuana can be ok medicinally, but not okay for recreation????? Let remove the double standards that make no sense at all. I can get higher off a few whiffs of spray paint, and i can get drugged and a bottle of OTC cough syrup. There are processed and unnatural medications sold legally everyday with far more harmful effects than weed. So let put it into perspective and let the gvt instruct the POLICE to leave the small man and his blunt alone. Target the gun toting “so called gangsters, patrol the streets and deal with those who are a real menace to society with the potential to take life, and while you are atit, deal with those high profiled white collar crimes, like theft from the treasury,and bins bobol etc….
Mr. Peter if most Dominicans are complaining about the justice system, then something is definitely wrong.
I thing this is a sing of lost of respect for justice system, people don’t believe them and want to change this situation.
All you avocars not easy ! All you even taking out mapuis on DNO. well look it ! I stoll like Tiyani yes ! He shoudl jail them !
“It is not uncommon for people to attempt to try these matters in the media and on the blogs and elsewhere rather than leaving them to be tried where they should be tried – in the courts where the evidence can be elicited and decisions can be appropriately made. My particular concern is the tendency to attack the judiciary and I include here the magistracy in that phrase,” he stated.
He said that it would be “a sad situation” if the justice system would be allowed to lose its respect unjustifiably.
HaHaHa……I had to read this article several times because I was in such belief, the audacity of this man. President of the Dominica Bar Association Levi Peters and Chief Magistrate Evelina Baptiste are telling us, THE DOMINICAN PEOPLE that we cannot voice our opinions about the injustices that’s going on in our judiciary system because…and I quote….”He said that it would be “a sad situation” if the justice system would be allowed to lose its respect unjustifiably.” News Flash, its already been lost, blame yourselves, this article only shows how arrogant you are and the blatant disrespect to the dominican people.
So we are not smart enough to see that there is a problem, and because we dont hold a law degree we cannot complain. We just have to keep our mouth shut while those of you with degrees and positions commit crimes (which is exactly what you all are doing, since crime is not only blowing someone’s brain out) that benefit yourselves and not the people of dominica.
“She said that a magistrate does not act on his own discretion; instead he or she is bound by their own principles along with the statutory guidelines and judiciary precedence under the law.”
WHERE ARE HIS PRINCIPLES, WHERE IS YOUR PRINCIPLE. seems like you all principle is “every man see for himself and God see for all” well since you took an oath to protect and serve “THE PEOPLE” that principle does not apply to you. PROTECT AND SERVE THE PEOPLE AND STOP LOOKING TO GET RICH, do that and we will stop complaining.
@LCM: How can they expect the constitution of many decades ago to be still applicable to today’s society?
Secondly, they wanted Magistrate Behanzin to give criminals a slap on the wrist see where it has gotten us.
Tiyani, why don’t you go read the laws and familiarise yourself with the laws so that you can properly apply them. Spend your time preparing for court instead of trying to put trouble everywhere you go. If you had applied the law properly all these appeals would not be allowed and all those criminals would not be out. Your errors are helping the criminals.
@Devoted Dominican.:
Well said Best Interest!
Most of the responses to this article hit the nail on the head, so the people have open eyes and clear thoughts on this one.
The attacks on the judiciary are justified.
Last week I asked several people if they would stand with me in protest, everyone asked said YES they would, people want change, tougher laws, enforcement of the laws and good honest courts and legal system.
Come on Mr Peters, BE HONEST!!
Where is my posting?
As far as I am aware a lay magistrate cannot surve in such a capacity as such is reserved for very Senior Practioners in the Supreme court, so come on, wake up and stop dreaming.
Hear, hear and it is a shame that so many “sheep” get so cut up in all the hysteria and hype that they forget to stop and take a look at the bigger picture.
Rather sensible point for a change and well said to.
IDIOT NONESENCE!
What a simplistic point of view! A brain as small as a pea in a pod! lolololohahahahe
Even you should know that the law doesn’t work out this way.
And what is the problem if Mr Peter is a representative of the as you say “alleged murderer”?
After all, isn’t everyone entitled to full representation in the court system in a democracy or are we now in the same places that people condem like China, Cuba and the Middle East?
Legal Practioners are there to represent everyone who requires representation and regardless of whether we agree or disagree with them, that really doesn’t make them a bad person and the personal attacks on Lawyers/Magistrates and even their families are not at all warranteed and most of all shallow for the modern day debate arena.
LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE.
My fellow Dominicans. Can you remember not too long ago president Levi Peters and chief magistrate Evelina Baptiste crucified magistrate Tiyani Behanzin in the media, in the news papers and in the court of public opinion simply because he had refused bail to a child molester who raped a child on numerous occasions at the house of her grand mother? it’s the same one and only Magistrate Evelina Baptiste who later granted him bail and sent him back on the streets to molest other kids. Also my fellow Dominicans, she could not have accomplished that without the approval of the president of the bar, Levi Peters. Now they are asking us to keep our mouth shut, just because we are demanding justice from magistrates like Tiyani Behanzin. Keep voicing your opinions Dominicans for this is all that they cannot take from us. ( TIYANI BEHANZIN FOR PRESIDENT AND CHIEF MAGISTRATE.)
Absolute nonesense and rather mediocre of you to presume that it is mature and evolved to try and convict people in the media or blogs, before it arrives at the correct forum (the courts) to be dealt with based on the evidence presented.
What makes you think that just because a case is taken to court that the outcome will always end in a conviction? This doesn’t happen in any developed country everytime a case goes to court and that is rather unrealistic and narrow of you to presume this should be the case
Instead of you people sitting and running your traps talking crazy, why don’t you channel your reservations to the people who you elected in parliament, and as you said, demonstrate outside the institution where those changes in terms of length of sentences can be changed, as the Magistrates and Lawyers cannot change those, until the old punishments that were suitable for previous years have been brought in line with the current state of such crimes in today’s society.
Dominicans are quick to demonstrate for trivial matters but issues such as this when they should be placing demands on their elected representatives and House of Assembly, people seem to be dragging their feet which bewilders me, as the Lawyers and Magistrates can only work within the current confines of the law that has been set out by parlarment until such laws have been amended and not on their own egos.
The question to you and people who think so “primitive” like you is, would you react the same way or share the same one-sided views on the subject if it was you, a family member or friend who required representation whether or not you or they were alleged to have committed a crime?
Dominicans have a tendency to run off the mouth first, castigate and spread malice/untruths and maybe, (just maybe) ask questions after that. How sad is that for a people and even more disappointing that we are evolving at such a very slow pace in terms of our assessments of societal ills and the way forward.
OBJECTIVITY IS KEY IN EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE AS OPPOSE SENSATIONALIST AND UNINFORMED CONCLUSIONS.
@BEST INTEREST: I could not agree more with every point.We are on the same wavelenght.I am the son of a police officer too and respect the law however I am not pleased with the individuals who carry out th justice. The problems facing Dominica is more than just legal. Both the opposition and this thing we have in place called the Goverment by content,calibre, quality callit what you will is wanting.Our lawyers ,(most)by-products of extreme poverty initially are now bent on creating accelerated wealth.Naturally they will support and participate in undercover hideous crimes they took an oath to fight. It is common knwledge of lawyers robbing poor and ignorant citizens of their lands ,houses and other material things when they are unable to meet their exorbitant fees. Just look at the ownership of property of theestablished laywers and come to a conclusion for yourselves. Just review the recent land transfers to our P.M by his lawyer who is now in trouble with his law firm partner.Look at our former UWP-lawyer- leader now a fugitive, lookat the lawyers associated with advising the P.M those very ones who go out on a limb to defend the undefenable,look at those lawyers who change party(s) for economic gains as new regimes come to power.It is clear that those who defend criminals toobtain lesser charges are more prosperous.They may defend it by saying payment is the high risks, what about the risk they have put our society in?The legal system is more than partly responsible for a large degree of our present stae of affairs. What will it take for our legal system and its scores of lawyers to become more responsibe and honest?Like best Interest stated does it have to hit home? ASk Sir Brian and his siblings or Dr.L Honeychurch for starts.
I thought the issue at hand didn’t mention the magistrates’s name that you have just brought up but something totally different.
To you think it is right for you to be mentioning the magistrates name in your drama when he isn’t in your drama.
Play another record my dear and “remember the evil that your wicked aura wishes on other human beings, will come right back at you and yours ten fold”, so be careful what you wish for.
BIAS INDIVIDUAL!
Don’t be absurd, as you cannot profess on minute that you live in a democracy and the other minute want to take matters into your own hands, particularly in a democracy.
Everyone one deserves a fair representation in the court system, regardless of what their alleged crime has been and it is up to the evidence to to be solid in that process.
It is not only judgemental of you to run your toxic mouth on lawyers who are representing as they took the oath to do, where or not you agree with their decision to do so, but most immature and norrow minded to say the list.
GROW THE HELL UP PEOPLE!!!!!
This comment is worth posting twice read on people:Ok, I have a lot to say and I will take it one step at a time.
1. Mr. Peters has said it is unfair to target the judiciary and our comments are unjustified. Well ‘boo hoo’ Mr. Peters. I guess your horse is so high you have a problem with anyone questioning it? Well, we do not have to attend law school to see injustice. Unlike your belief, our concern are justified and are targeted at the correct medium. The fact is the judiciary is responsible for that part of the law which determines the fate of a criminal, and we re-iterate that they have failed miserably.
2. Mr. Peters what medium do you suggest we use to vent? Should we go to parliament? Should we demonstrate outside the court house? Or do you want us to write you a letter so you can try out your shredder? Well, we are sorry to disappoint you, but at this time we will use the most effective method we have at our disposal, which does not discriminate. I guess you did not want the dirty laundry aired out across the globe. Well, if we get no results here, we will try there.
3.“We are all aware of the recent spate of violent offenses within our community…” Are you aware Mr. Peters? Well, I guess it has not hit close enough to your home because you are quite content to keep it a secret. Those of us who are losing family and friends will continue to express our disappointments.
4. “It is not uncommon for people to attempt to try these matters in the media and on the blogs and elsewhere rather than leaving them to be tried where they should be tried – in the courts where the evidence can be elicited and decisions can be appropriately made…” We have given you the opportunity to try the cases in the courts and so far, you have failed miserably. You are charged with making those very important decisions and the Dominican public is now telling you that we are not satisfied with your performance. When I say you and your, I mean the judiciary not any one individual.
5.He said that it would be “a sad situation” if the justice system would be allowed to lose its respect unjustifiably. For your information, the justice system has already lost all its respect in Dominica and it is totally justifiable. I encourage you, for your own knowledge, to go back through the records of the last 10 years, and report to us how many murders have been tried and how many killers successfully incarcerated. Tell us Mr. Peters, how many people have lost their lives ridiculously and how many killers were allowed to walk free.
6. Magistrate Evelina Baptiste said some of the attacks are coming “from our own colleagues”. This is such a hypocritical crock. Ms. Baptiste, were you not the same one on the media some time past blasting another colleague saying he was too harsh? Weren’t you the same one who participated in bringing him before tribunal for his sentences? Weren’t you involved in reducing some of the sentences that he had delivered? Hypocrite!
7. Magistrates are bound by principles!!! A magistrate applies the law as he see it!! Well, here are our answers. We did not even have to look for it. They have lost all their principles and it is obvious they are scared of the big law because they only see the little law.
I am one very law abiding citizen who have not as much as a traffic ticket. I respect authority. My father was a policman in the days when people respected authority. I would like to say, I have no confidence in our justice system and our judiciary. We have people who were caught with 2 marijuana cigarrettes doing more time than people who have taken others lives.
Go fix your kitchen and earn our respect!!!
mr levi wait until a man push a knife in your sons chest for no reason and burst his heart open then you will know the pain
i just love Tiyani Behanzin, i am a male, i know i need to email some female.. but if this guy sentence me for 5 years for cursing the chief magistrate i will still love him he is real…
Everyone have a right to be bailed.. there are only 3 conditions why a man should not be bailed, so thats a human right.. but a … yo if it was a poor malaway all now he would be caniying in stocky….
i stiil glade dey bailed the chap bc i know his rivals want to see him down so that they can prosper, but dere down fall soon come…
@BEST INTEREST: @BEST INTEREST: Bothe Peter and Baptiste especially are hypocrites and all I have to say to the learn fron magistrate Behanzin and remember RESPECT is something you work for.
@prissy: How true how true.
@Master Bait: Well said my brother, now they are trying to tell us that the system is not that bad I say to both Peter and Baptiste take a good look at who is braking the LAWS of the land and deal with it instead of pass the buck and stop dumping on the young people. I am not saying what they are doing is correct they must find other ways of handling disputes killing one another bring only sadness to every family involved and I condem it and I will continue to speak out against CRIME because it doesnt pay.
On the other hand the leader of the GOVT said not even the CONSTITUTION can prevent him well Peter and Baptiste that is the law of the land and that was the worst thing he could have said and look what is happening today so untill all you Lawyers, Magistrates, Judges find your backbone to stand up and say he was wrong dont expect to get respect from the people of DOMINICA you will continue to get bad press. till the right of justice prevail.
Go and fix what is broken instead of trying to get sympathy from us you all were the same group that tried to distant yourselves from BEHANZIN you all didnt want his type of justice and seek to distroy him your actions didnt brake him so I would suggest that you follow his lead and just maybe things might be different we can see that the system is back on track their shouldnt be two types of justice in D’ICA.
Fellow Dominicans, I hope the law makers, and those that execute the laws of Dominica are reading these posts, because I think they can learn quite a bit. I believe the views in here reflect that of the majority of Dominicans. Some of these lawyers are very out of touch. I think “Best Interest” and a number of others put it much better than me.
I hope that the government of Dominica address these issues promptly and change the laws for the punishment to fit the crime. Listen to the People! We know injustice Mr. Peters, we have been seeing it in Dominica for quite a while. We hate injustice! Our justice system in Dominica is not just, or maybe some of you are just crooked lawyers. I am sick and tired of brutal murderers getting a slap on the wrist. We need justice, and we need it now!
THE GOVERNMENT MUST WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE, WE NEED NEW LAWS AMENDED LAWS AND NEW RULES TO GOVERN THE JUDICIARY LAWYERS AND MAGISTRATES ALIKE. WE NEED TO HANG! HANG! HANG THOSE IN NEED OF HANGING AND SEND PEOPLE TO JAIL FOR THE TIME THEY DESERVE.
I AM TIRED OF HEARING THE PRISON TOO SMALL , CANCEL THE STATE HOUSE AND ALL THOSE NONSENSE AND BUILD A REAL BIG PRISON IN POND CASE.
ST.KITTS 49.500 PEOPLE HAS AN ARMY AND MORE POLICE THAN D/CA , YET ALL NOW ALTHOUGH THE POLICE TRAINING SOME PEOPLE, THEY HAVE ABOUT 50 VACANCY STILL.
ARE YOU GOING TO TRAIN THE REST WHEN THOSE PASS OUT HONOURABLE PM SKERRIT? OR ARE WE GOING TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER YEAR WHEN THEY HAVE 50 MORE VACANCIES?
ENOUGH OF POLITICS, NOW IS THE TIME TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE COUNTRY HONOURABLE PARLIAMENTARIANS.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, PLEASE PUT DOMINICA FIRST, BUT CAN YOU MADAMME?
THANKS ALL.
Wow! Our justice system sounds absolutely rotten. Even more than rotten because those who are accountable are denying that truth. After all of those gruesome killings in the past two weeks, I believe that everyone was looking expecting a positive response, base on the cry of the people, sincerely or not, from the voices of the Juridical System in Dominica. I know that I was. But that response is totally negative.
It is like people around me are telling me that I have an armpit odour, and I continue to say that is not true. Then I will never try to find help to solve my problem. But I will also lost a lot friends and their respect for me as well, putting my social life in serious jeopardy. Unfortunately, it is the development of our country and the welfare of our people that is now in serious jeopardy; as authorities deny that they have made mistakes.
If only Authority, leaders, and those in charge of law and order would understand that the functions, for the benefit of those whom they are called to serve and for the development the country, community, or environment, where they are called to serve, must be executed in one mind and one accord. Unfortunately, those whom they serve, point out their mistakes and they deny that they making mistakes; but they want to be respected.
If the law of Dominica allows people who have committed gruesome murders to walk in public with their arms swinging, laughing and waving at other people, what is the efficiency in the law that present the desire for respect from its citizens? Oh dear God! Help us, the citizens of my Country Dominica.
As soon as Skerrite go, we need those blood suckers Levi, Eveli and the others to disappear too!
They are accusing the local persons for speaking out..They have us suffering emotionally, physically and psychologically due to their inability to do the job they were called to do!
Levi!,…By reading the asinine and idiotic statements you have made, I come to the conclusion that you are more concerned about the fragile and pathetic image of greedy and corrupted lawyers like yourself and a few others in your profession,than the rapid escalation in crime and criminality, and the brutal and henious ways in which some of these crimes; to wit murder,are being perpetrated upon members of society.
I say this ma’ man,because you are slowly but surely becoming part of that corrupted clique that feeds from the same feeding trough. whose hogish behaviour have slowly but surely transformed the criminal justice system into a revolving door; for criminals…The more crimes they commit,the more bail they are granted and the more money you so call lawyers make…It’s like one big happy family..at the feeding trough(get my drift?)What happened to the oath that you took?,your code of ethics?,and conduct?. Whilst innocent members of society and victims of these criminal acts are victimized over and over again…Their cries for justice are falling on deaf ears.
The salivation and sounds coming from the feeding troughs are deafing and are much louder than the cries of the victims of those heinous crimes. In some cases their innocent blood are left at the scenes of the crime, (in recent cases, our streets),crying out for justice.
And you my friend,have the nerve to talk about “attacks on the judiciary”?….you cannot be serious!..Are you nuts?…..Why didn’t you in your pathetic capacity of ….what is it?..”president of the bar assoc.”?..Wow!…..address the rapid acceleration in violent crimes and the brutal ways in which they are perpetrated upon members of your society?..My guess is that it would be asking too much..right?.. you don’t want to rock the boat….
But you can freely attack members of the public for crying out for justice,crying out for help,crying out for changes to the judicial system. The Magistrates,and Judges,because of their lackadaisical attitudes, have allow the criminal justice system to become a revolving door for these criminals..The Courts have become a play ground and laughing stock for criminals and defense attorneys,who have made a mockery of our justice system….That is a crying shame!…Where is the Justice!….
Now look at that, the Magistrates are in bed with the defense attorneys,and in some cases,feeding from the same trough…..can you believe that?. my ,my,no wonder the whole system is all scewed up.
People have a right to vent their frustrations,the have a right to complain, and if they go to the available mediums,..the Newspapers,Radios,TV, etc.,that is their prerogative….Truthfully,why is it bothering you?….So wait a minute, you can complain,but they can’t?.And they are the ones being victimized and brutalized?…….
….You Levi, is now the “president of Hypocrisy”!..You two legged neanderthal……i suggest you get back to where you once belong my friend…..
All the best to you………
@BEST INTEREST: verry good i love how you give it to them. they need that and more.
ha,ha,ha. this one wake you up. its about time that we Dominican put you all in palce. and dont forget that you all have lost all respect already. you all sit all you fat a.. and get the same drugs and murders money so you dont care about senceless crime that is going in Dominica. just look at what you all did last week giveing a man ball when he should be send up straight to prison. the Behinzen story.just to name a few. I think you all need to start doing what Mr. behinzen does. go into the Community and have public meeting with the people, it will help a great deal.
I trust the Almighty father, that all Drugs , gun Violence will STOP Amen.
I will say openly to their faces that the court system is a joke. When the criminals are brought before them what they do, make a joke out of it. During my days when Mano so called magistrate was on the bench we knew we had support, He even lucked up Tony Astaphans. Those were the days. So to hell with the play ground. Be a magistrate and luck these criminals up. you not runnig for election. But again the I an shock at the PM, I knew him when he was at college today I see not this educated individual that I knew but a monster. He has allowed the country to be in that state. Blackmore wake up.
I do hope Levi and others are reading some of your comments. And by the looks of it, they are.
The emergency meeting of Parliament last week cannot and is incapable of doing little more than brainstorm the most immediate and effective measures to arrest this crime wave; ie: Police road blocks, and spot checks aimed at stopping young men from walking with knifes, guns and other weapons as they do so freely.
The absence of these spot checks, which are done in law enforcement in most countries as a first line of detterence tells us that there is either a go-slow, or some sort of protest on the part of the police and/or Commissioner. Just watch eh.
YOU AND YOUR ILKS ARE PART OF THE GANG PERPETUATING THE MORAL DECAY OF THIS COUNTRY…The justice system of the state has failed the people..It is only applied to the hungry “malaway” who has stolen a packet of crix biscuit,but the hard core criminals,including some of our leaders can wantonly do whatever they want and life goes on…
@lovel:
wat ur stress is a magistrate went through all them processes there…so she could appointed…what u really talkin about..any how stick to the issue at hand plz
There was a little girl whose name was Ann JOSEPH. She was born in 1940, In 1945 Ann JOSEPH was 5 years old. This same Ann JOSEPH grew up and was married in 1967, at age 27, to David BROWN. She took her husband’s surname and was known as Ann BROWN. Let us go back a little. to 1945. Remember in 1945 Ann JOSEPH was 5 years old and had no idea that she would be married to a man named David BROWN and would take her husband’s name and be known as Ann BROWN. In a land dispute case, heard in 2009. As part of the plaintiff’s case a probated will was filed in record. The date of this will was 1945 when Ann JOSEPH was 5 years old. In this same will the testator left 2 acres of land to Ann BROWN. It was quite obvious that the will should have said Ann JOSEPH. But crooks always make mistakes. The evidence of the forgery was right there in the will. The plaintiff was lucky that when the case was tried, it did not reach to the point where the will had to be put in evidence. The judge decided the case without having to look at this obviously forged will. If the judge had seen this will he would have sent it straight to the Commissioner of Police for investigation. The moral of this story is that the lawyer who represented the plaintiff must have seen the blatant evidence of the forgery and should have dropped the case. In any case the plaintiff lost the case.
What is he talking about. That is a sign that people has already lost respect for the justice system.
A couple months ago the chief magistrate was publicly complaining about the harsh sentence by another magistrate. These guys need to realize when violent crime is on the increase they need to use judgment to the maximum. Punishment should also serve as a deterrent to crime.
If the law is limiting the legal system’s ability to help stamp crime then the Government should be advised properly to make or implement the necessary actions.
Enough talking and start acting. I believe the parliament should be called to immediate action.
First of all Mr. Peter is living in a bubble… the justice system has already lose all respect, this is one of the reasons for all the escalating crimes in the country. It is well known that Evalina Baptiste is a magistrate …. only applies the law in ways that suits her pocket, recently she granted bail to criminals who had violated terms of their previous bail pretending that there was nothing in the law that she could do. Then why set bail condistions if they cannot be enforced? ..
Mr. Peter and Evalina want us to keep quiet? We have to talk about it all over the place, it is no longer an issue to be discussed in private forums, we are way past that it is time we take to the streets, it is time we run these criminals and their lawyer supporters from our once peaceful Dominica. Mr. Peter you guys had your chance to make a differnce in our country, instead you and your profession betrayed the citizens of Dominica. Why did you not come out with a statement condeming the escalating violence? Why is’nt Evalina applying the law in an appropriate way? We will not shut up as you want us to, we will keep on raising the issues that affect us, we will continue to speak out against rampant corruption in the Judiciary, we will continue to fight against the criminals and their supporters, we will continue to strive to make Dominica a land of Justice, peace and prosperity.
Dominicans must be bold, we need an investigation of the entire legal profession and particularly of Miss Baptiste.
EQUALITY, FRATERNITY, LIBERTY. JUSTICE FOR ONE, JUSTICE FOR ALL. THERE CAN BE NO PEACE WITHOUT JUSTICE. When some lawyers, judges, magistrates, talk of TECHNICALITIES and serious cases are not dealt with and JUSTICE is not served according to the crime done, expect more crimes. When the ‘BIG MAN, ‘ELITE CLASS’, ‘THE FEW IN POWER’ ‘THE FEW WITH HUGE WEALTH sometimes obtained illegally’, ‘THE INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE ONE PROTECTING THE OTHER’ expect more and more crimes. Throwing out and not dealing with the serious issue of BRIBERY and other blatant wrong doings are travesties of the JUSTICE system. The Dominican public see and know Bribery certainly took place in their faces. De MONEY buying off my people BIG TIME.
When those in authority could openly say, ‘Is not your DAMN business where I get my money from’ expect more youths to get their money too, even by illegal means and expect more crimes as a result. when some persons in authority commit serious crimes and escape justice, expect more crimes. When those in public Office cheat the Treasury of the people’s money, refusing to pay the almost $200,000.00 owed through Bin Bobol, expect more and more crimes. When questions are asked and public officials refuse to give the people answers about what happen to their money that was used in secret deals, expect more and more crimes.
All you Dominicans surprise crimes on the rise. Do not be SURPRISED. If you study carefully the TRENDS regarding criminal activities and the way those are dealt or not dealt with, expect more and more crimes in our lovely Dominica. Our country is being PROSTITUTED. OUR COUNTRY is being SOLD To the FEW who have ‘HUGE WEALTH’, ‘Power and ‘INFLUENCE.’ So Dominicans do not be SURPRISED. EXPECT MORE AND MORE CRIMES, STABBINGS, SHOOTINGS, MONEY_LAUNDERING. ‘WHITE COLLAR CRIMES. SILENCE IS CONSENT.
ALL THAT SAID AND NOTHING IS THE SAME…………U SOUND LIKE U DON’T EVEN KNOW IF U R GOING OR COMING……COMING FROM THAT SORT OF BRACKET I WOULD EXPECT SOMETHING MUCH MORE SENSIBLE AS IT RELATES TO THE CRIME SITUATION AT HAND…
A BUNCH OF JOKERS IF U ASK ME.
Dear Mr. President of the Bar Association, when cold-blooded murders and rapists walk free constantly and the citizenry complains about a lack of justice, then guess what? The judiciary system sucks!! One has a higher percentage of getting off on a murder trial when compared to narcotics possession. These are the cold-blooded facts Mr. Bar Association President.
Maybe Mwanga would still be alive today if he was sitting in prison for all those murders he committed and was freed for? Ponder on that. That’s one life that could have been spared. Bunch of hypocrites.
It is very simple math.
If all the criminals are put away and potential criminals are deterred, then how on Dominican soil can the magistrates and the lawyers eat.
They need the criminals to be free to get their money for them.
What you defending when you are a criminal defence lawyer with no criminals to defend…………
the comments from baptise and levi to me is just plain bull…. who is to be blamed when criminals have began walking our streets after they commit crimes that should permit them to spend life in prison or sentenced to death? tell me why do we have so many gun related crimes / stabing /burglers all of a sudden ? IS IT NOT BECAUSE THESE CRIMINALS GET BAIL ? IS IT NOT BECAUSE SOME GREEDY LAWYERS HAVE NO CONCERN FOR THE VICTIMS AND GOOD CITIZENS OF THIS NATION THAT THEY DEFEND THESE CRIMINALS IN COURT? WHY DO THEY WANT TO GET RID OF TIYANI IS IT NOT BECAUSE HE HAVE TAKEN UP THE CHALLENGE AND GIVE CRIMINALS THEIR DUES THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO SOFTEN HIM UP? TELL BAPTIS AND LEVI GET REAL AND PUT THE INTRESS OF THE NATION FIRST AND SEND THESE CRIMINALS WHERE THEY BELONG. FOR THE 3 WHO MUDERED THEIR BROTHER THEIR JUDGEMENT SHOULD BE DEATH . THE YOUNG MAN WHO MUDERED THE MAN ON THE BRIDGE IN POSIE DEATH . THE ONE WHO STABBED THE MAN IN HIS OWN HOME DEATH MAKE EXAMPLES OF THEM AND WHATCH AND SEE HOW MANY MUDERS WE WILL HAVE IN DA.
@BEST INTEREST: to best interest. I must say that you have summarized your points very well and I hope the judiciary wakes up from its slumber. I hope members of the judiciary are not on the criminal’s pay list and the truth is Dominicans are losing faith in this system of government and will be left with no choice but to be the judge, jury…………
The audacity of these educated fools who think wisdom comes from those framed certificates on their walls!
You barricade your homes and erect burglar bars while the common man continues to be vulnerable to the wiles of the criminal population you seem so skilfully to be “nurturing”. Tell the government, the lawyers, the magistrate and all those who fail to protect us … one day the tables will turn, you will be the ones who will be vulnerable and the very criminals whom you have breast fed will find you. Then you will know what we feel like today raising our children while you bring forth criminals to destroy them.
Your day will come. The cycle of life will bring right back to you what you throw at us.
For every common man
How many individuals committed crimes of murder that are out walking the streets today?
Why when bail was initially denied for murder charges eventually get overturned; hence releasing the suspects on bail?
Why have individuals committed crimes of murder with many witnesses to the act never served jail?
Why can “Gravity” and other “paros” buy powder cocaine and rock cocaine on the streets of Roseau, yet the police seems powerless in stop the sellers?
Why are individuals losing trust in the police and justice system; opting to take justice in their own hands?
Why is “Al Capone” the only murderer convicted within the last few year the only one in Jail?
I’m left to wonder if these people are working for the criminals or the for the best interest of Dominica?
@prissy: I doub’t very much that anything from the Honourable Mr. Behanzin because these idiots are already set in their ways and jelousy of him has made them blind. Because of their foolish pride the would rather loose Dominica rather than take a leaf out of Mr. Behanzin’s book.
Please let us put things into perspective. How can you ask that a lay magistrate become Chief Justice. Is it ignorance of the syatem or are some people bent on talking rubbish.
The Chief Justice is usually a senior judge of the Court of Appeal or some senior lawyer.
How can you ask that a person who is not yet even call to the Bar in Dominica be appointed as Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean.
There are more mad people out than in
Ok, I have a lot to say and I will take it one step at a time.
1. Mr. Peters has said it is unfair to target the judiciary and our comments are unjustified. Well ‘boo hoo’ Mr. Peters. I guess your horse is so high you have a problem with anyone questioning it? Well, we do not have to attend law school to see injustice. Unlike your belief, our concern are justified and are targeted at the correct medium. The fact is the judiciary is responsible for that part of the law which determines the fate of a criminal, and we re-iterate that they have failed miserably.
2. Mr. Peters what medium do you suggest we use to vent? Should we go to parliament? Should we demonstrate outside the court house? Or do you want us to write you a letter so you can try out your shredder? Well, we are sorry to disappoint you, but at this time we will use the most effective method we have at our disposal, which does not discriminate. I guess you did not want the dirty laundry aired out across the globe. Well, if we get no results here, we will try there.
3.“We are all aware of the recent spate of violent offenses within our community…” Are you aware Mr. Peters? Well, I guess it has not hit close enough to your home because you are quite content to keep it a secret. Those of us who are losing family and friends will continue to express our disappointments.
4. “It is not uncommon for people to attempt to try these matters in the media and on the blogs and elsewhere rather than leaving them to be tried where they should be tried – in the courts where the evidence can be elicited and decisions can be appropriately made…” We have given you the opportunity to try the cases in the courts and so far, you have failed miserably. You are charged with making those very important decisions and the Dominican public is now telling you that we are not satisfied with your performance. When I say you and your, I mean the judiciary not any one individual.
5.He said that it would be “a sad situation” if the justice system would be allowed to lose its respect unjustifiably. For your information, the justice system has already lost all its respect in Dominica and it is totally justifiable. I encourage you, for your own knowledge, to go back through the records of the last 10 years, and report to us how many murders have been tried and how many killers successfully incarcerated. Tell us Mr. Peters, how many people have lost their lives ridiculously and how many killers were allowed to walk free.
6. Magistrate Evelina Baptiste said some of the attacks are coming “from our own colleagues”. This is such a hypocritical crock. Ms. Baptiste, were you not the same one on the media some time past blasting another colleague saying he was too harsh? Weren’t you the same one who participated in bringing him before tribunal for his sentences? Weren’t you involved in reducing some of the sentences that he had delivered? Hypocrite!
7. Magistrates are bound by principles!!! A magistrate applies the law as he see it!! Well, here are our answers. We did not even have to look for it. They have lost all their principles and it is obvious they are scared of the big law because they only see the little law.
I am one very law abiding citizen who have not as much as a traffic ticket. I respect authority. My father was a policman in the days when people respected authority. I would like to say, I have no confidence in our justice system and our judiciary. We have people who were caught with 2 marijuana cigarrettes doing more time than people who have taken others lives.
Go fix your kitchen and earn our respect!!!
BENHANZIN FOR CHIEF JUSTICE. HE IS THE ONLY MAGISTRATE WITH THE INTEGRITY AND CAPABILITY TO OVERSEE OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM. NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR INTEGRITY SIR. SOME DAY IT MAY RUB OFF ON SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES.
who else to blame..is me that giving them bail na? or me that giving them a few years in the cell…then they walking! is it i that sit behind the bench while criminals walk and smile eat my tax money in jail and get fat…while the family suffer! I THINK ON ANOTHER NOTE WE NEED A BOOT CAMP IN DOMINICA!!!!!!!
Our justice system on a whole is archaic. The laws we have on our books were written in the days when there was a more peaceful and gentler Dominica. Those were the days when the biggest crime was maybe stealing coconuts or mangoes and people settled scores with a fistfight after which the combatants shared a glass of rum. No more. Today people steal via the internet and gun is used to settle scores. The crime wave sweeping the nation right now is a sign that crime has evolved. Our laws needed to be amended to reflect and combat the evolving trends in criminality.
isnt Mr. Levi one of the alleged murderers representative?
i hpe all the laws and constitution be well placed and justice served with no bias.
I would take levi all the lawyers and the magistrates and judges that was critising Behanzin put all of them in a bag put that bag on a pipwee and let go that pipwee in the ocean, because they know there are times the law is not just and right now their use of it and interpretation of it not doing Dominica and its people justice.
There are times when you have to call a spade a spade and it is patently clear from many of the criticisms I have seen expressed about the failings and inconsistencies of the legal bodies in D’a are criticisms coming from the ordinary man and woman. So what are you trying to say Mrs. Magistrate that the ordinary citizen is so dumb that only another person of your profession can express such sentiments.
For you to come out with such a statement is proof enough that there is validity in what the majority of people are saying. I am no judge, magistrate, barrister, lawyer or police chief yet I can clearly see when members of your profession act inconsistently or in an incommensurable way with regards to crime, punishment, imprisonment or detention in particular when someone like Mr. Tiyani Behanzin is slapped down by his profession for trying to bring a firm hand to all these matters that there is something going seriously wrong on in your profession which is not working to the best interests of the majority of peaceful law abiding citizens of D’a.
We all know the saying ‘spare the rod and spoil the child’ but it seems that the ordinary man knows and tries to apply it more effectively than those who we would expect to be the champions of such a tenet, but it seems that this little pearl of wisdom has been lost somewhere in legal translation.
It would also be total folly to place all burden of blame on the legal bodies as many have to shoulder the blame, governments, teachers, parents, individual self control etc. But when responsible people start posing excuses or denial then what hope have we of solving any situation sensibly.
It is a crying shame and a grievous situation to see how the strapping and capable youth of D’a are being destroyed by unthinking adults. The future of the Island is being urinated upon because too many responsible adults are full of their own self pride and political blind arrogance to lend an ear to anyone that might have a positive suggestion to remedy a situation. We all know that no one person has all the answers but if those responsible bodies don’t come together sensibly and remove their rose tinted glasses and take the cotton wool from their ears then they better start earning how to sleep with one eye open because the future is going to come and shake it off of them. Beware the ides of March!!
Levi Peters you are nothing more than a blasted hyprocrit both you and the chief magistrate,(1) a man was arested for money laundering of over $3,]Million and posession of fire arms and the chief magistrate put him on $50,000.00 bail that same criminal was arested again last week for guns and amunations she still put him on bail again when he kill somebody she will still bail him …. ,people have their rights to blast the justice systerm is only Tiyani Behanzin that doing Dominicans justice and all of you those two foot monsters are against him you forgot it was the same click of hyprocrits that went to fort young hotel to seek his dismisial and all you left there shame because the hearing was ajorned sinidie.and all you still after him stop defending those dangerous aligators heartless criminals our we will equal all you to them remember your father Levi peters sr. believed in capital punishment now you dump all what he taught you your backslider come back to the Lord and let us clean this country from criminals we want the GALLOWS FOR US TO HANG THOSE MONSTERS.in order to clean our country. and Tiyani is not the problem he is the solution you Levi Peters failed as a magistrate,now Evelina baptist is a total failure she should be fired.just check the spelling of her name EVIL lina Baptiste woman retire now we dont want you on the bench.Tiyany should replace you Mr Ausie Lewis i am not talking to you you can perform but dont let those crooked ones spoil you stand like Tiyani.
YOU ALL ARE JUST TO LENIENT ON THESE MURDERS…..THEY NEED TO GO TO JAIL FOR LIFE OR BE HANGED…..11 MURDERS IS JUST TOO MUCH……GET SERIOUS WITH THESE PPL AND WHEN THEY PLEAD INSANITY, DON’T FEEL NO SORRY FOR THEM BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT THEY WANT……THINK OF THE FAMILY OF THESE VICTIMS THAT JUST WANT JUSTICE……PPL ARE FED UP…EVERY MORNING LISTEN TO THE NEWS THAT THERE WAS A MURDER…DO THE JOB THAT Y’ALL SHOULD BE DOING!!!!THIS THING DON’T MAKE SENSE!!!!
REALLY!!!!!!! Keep attacking other magistrates who are trying to upkeep the law (HAVE YOU ALREADY FORGOTTEN THE TIYANI FIASCO?)and keep beefing up and encouraging the lawyers who take straight forward cases of defending those who have made crime their profession and let us see where “THE LAW ” that you all are so quick to point to will lead us.Criminals are given a slap on the wrist because of “THE LAW” and you expect people to sit by and say nothing?If you don’t want persons to voice their opinions, then do what you took the oath to do.
Lawyers should stop enjoying crime money to defend cases because they feel that they have to “make a living”.
Magway sa-Do you think it is nice to seat in a courtroom, hear eyewitnesses give evidence about a crime that was committed and next thing you know the culprits lawyer try to make the victim look like the criminal and next you are hearing the magistrate sets the person free or give a very lenient punishment?
One of these days,I hope neither of the lawyers or the magistrates who do these things will find themselves in the victim seat.I hope then that “THE LAW” will be their guide to justice.
“He hoped that some sort of solution is arrived at in the near future”
Levi Peters is “HOPING” for a solution to our crime problem.
Autrie and Weekes “PRAYING” for a solution to our crime problem.
Skerrit, what you doing?
May I suggest that you implement laws to Deter crime – such as re-introducing the death penalty law in parliament next session – Thank You!!!!
Where are the comments on this news item? This is what we need to concern ourselves with: the problems in the Judicial system? The guidelines of the laws that are on the books right now in 2010, that the magistrates and judges have to go by when they have criminals before them. Are these laws and guidelines applicable in this day and time. Do we as a people need to look at them and see if they need to be reviewed. We are attacking the members of the judicial system, but what IS the root of the problem? There will be an emergency sitting of the cabinet this week to address crime and I hope emergency measures will be put in place in an attempt to deal with all these criminals that keep taking people’s lives and exhibiting a total disregard for life, property, society at large. Dominica seems to be the #1 in crime in the Caribbean at this time, because the ratio of our population to the rate of crime speaks for itself. Let us come together as a people and implement what needs to be implemented to try to get some peace and tolerance in our beautiful island.
The Law makers of the land has to revisit the laws. The magistrates are divided on the laws. When one say no bail the other gives bail. When you have money and name in Dominica the law turn a blind eye. When you are poor there is where the cheek turns. When someone kills someone or cause bodily harm to someone that person should not be bailed. They should be sent to prison to ponder on their punishment for what they have done to another individual.
I am much saddened by the justice systyem at home. One is set free to kill again. One never knows how it feels when the system has betrayed and failed you, it is only when you have to walk that road. Never mind, all the killers will walk free and kill again. One is caught with a little marijuana and they are sent to prison for so many years or is being fined huge sums of money.
God help my country Dominica with the justice system as it stands today.
Both The Bar, The Presedent and this Chief Magistrate attacked Magistrate Behanzin in the Press in a tasteless way, now they want to talk! go and make all you money and stop pretending. Why is Baptiste giving bail to Guage again! All the criminals she released especially in the Portsmouth and the North areas just to get to Magistrate Behanzin!!! All of you will fall on all you own cutlass!!!!