Bail Bill is law

A COMBINED effort between Government and the Opposition to find a solution to the country’s escalating crime problem has resulted in the Bail Bill becoming law. Officials at the Office of the Attorney General yesterday confirmed that the bill, which was the first anti-crime bill requiring a special majority to be passed in Parliament, was assented to by President George Maxwell Richards on December 22. The piece of legislation was the outcome of several meetings which were held at Whitehall and attended by Prime Minister Patrick Manning, UNC Political Leader Winston Dookeran, Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday, Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis, Attorney General John Jeremie, National Security Minister Martin Joseph and Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

During those meetings, both sides agreed to a legislative package which included — the Bail Bill; the establishment of gun and kidnapping courts for all crimes with the use of guns; Criminal Injuries Compensation Amendment Act; the Police Service Reform Bill; Protective Services Compensation Amendment Act; strengthening of money laundering legislation; amendments to the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act to make way for the introduction of the breathalyser; the return of the Equal Opportunities Act, and revision of DNA legislation.

The Bail Bill was introduced in the Lower House on December 16 and in the Upper House on December 20. It was an amendment to the Bail Act, 1994, to make certain violent offences under the act, and the offence of kidnapping for ransom under the Kidnapping Act, 2002, non-bailable offences. However, one of the conditions of the denial of bail for persons charged with the offences was that they be brought to trial within 60 days of the laying of the charges, after which they had the right to apply to a judge in chambers for bail. Since the amendment was inconsistent with Sections 4 and 5 of the Constitution, a special three-fifths majority was needed for its passage. The bill was passed with the requisite majority in both Houses.