“You cannot withhold your name and address from a police officer during the conduct of his duties.”
That is the lesson given by Magistrate Evalina Baptiste to one Bellevue Chopin man Tuesday morning as she presided over matters at the Roseau Magistrates Court.
Alvin Joseph, 34 will have to pay the court $250 by September 30th or spend two months behind bars on the charge for failure of giving his name to the Police.
He will also pay $150 by September 30th or face 1 month imprisonment for failure of providing his address to the police. The charges will run concurrently.
According to the facts of the matter police went in search of Joseph for whom a warrant was out.
On approaching the suspect, who fitted the description that they had, police asked on three occasions for his particulars but he refused to answer.
Joseph was later taken to the Grand Bay Police Station where are thorough search was performed and the suspects driver’s license and Social security card was found in the left pocket of the pant he was wearing.
Joseph at that time told the authorities, “officers give me a break I was drunk.” He expressed similar sentiments in his plea for leniency before Magistrate Baptist, saying “I am sorry, I was under the influence, it wouldn’t happen again.”
He was cautioned by the Magistrate that drunkenness did not help his cause.
Dominica has two different types of court systems, poor and quick cases and the rich and slow continuous ones. Is that justice in play or injustice? dont answer, think.
what about u have the right to remain silent and the right to ask for a lawyer
This is an obstruction. Such excuse is unacceptable and under this circumstances. It is imperative that in this case if the police ask him for his name, he is obligated to do so. His right is, he does not have to provide further information and ask to speak to a lawyer.
you have a right to remain silint is american law> because it on tv it is not so here…., the caution here is diferent, go learn your law then speak.
You do not know the law. When the police approached him and asked him for his name, he was obligated to inform him. He is not obligated to give the police further information. This is where he has the right to remain silent. In any case, they learn from the law of progressive countries.
If they know the law they should stay away from trouble. They cause taxpayers too much money. Nationals have a right to be upset with those criminals. I am on the side of the police. Obey the police authorities.
WTF nobody obligated to speak to the police how de heck they charge the man withought knowing anything?? If this was any where else it wouldnt b so truss lol y’all funny over there
Lol….Very silly Alvin
those petty criminals, they always “under waters” more than fish itself…lol….
papa I shame for mista
Does Dominica have the funniest court cases or is it just me? The petty criminals always have a justification for their actions that is nothing but hilarious.