Lawyers: Proclaim DNA Act as law

Criminal attorney Larry Lalla yesterday called for the immediate proclamation of the DNA Act which would give police an edge in the fight against crime; and for better staffing of the Forensic Science Centre (FSC). Attorney Keith Scotland agreed with Lalla and suggested yesterday that we go back to the “old time days” with respect to parents questioning their children when they come home with something which the parents did not purchase. Both attorneys made the points while on a talk show yesterday, discussing what could be done to speed up the justice system.

Lalla recalled that the DNA Act had long been passed by Parliament and only needed to be proclaimed to be law. He said if that were done, the police could be better equipped to fight crime more effectively. He noted that the data bank of DNA profiles of persons arrested by the police, which is to be set up under the Act, would go a long way in assisting the police to keep tabs on hardened criminals. Lalla also called for the FSC to be better staffed so that courts would not have to wait long periods for exhibits, as is the current situation. He noted that police have to wait six months for a firearm to be tested and returned to court, while a drug test takes about a year. 

Lalla also suggested an increase in staff in the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)  and for police prosecutors to be replaced by lawyers from the DPP’s office. He said this would ensure that prosecutions are conducted in a more equitable manner and with a minimum of delay. He said there is also a need for more magistrates and more courts to be set up in some magisterial districts.  Both attorneys agreed that it is extremely important that the judiciary be given its own budget to ensure that monies are used as the judiciary sees fit without having to go to the Ministry of the Attorney General each time some new item of expenditure comes along.  However, they both  emphasised that this should be done in such a way to ensure accountability in the use of public funds.

Speaking about the present crime situation, Scotland said: “It is time that we take back our country, increment by increment. This present deluge of criminal activity should not deter each individual from reclaiming his place, and once the collective engages in that activity, we will eventually win the battle.” He called on parents to embrace the “old time days,” when parents and grandparents would question their children thoroughly should they come home with anything parents had not bought for them. He said parents must demand from their children an explanation for any new item and know about their whereabouts. He concluded that we should start within our own personal space and expand that radius nationally.