Parliament has approved adjustments to the law which will now accommodate plea bargaining in relation to criminal offences which attract mandatory prison terms.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding piloted amendments to the Plea Bargaining Legislation during Tuesday's sitting of the House of Representatives.
Earlier this year, during the passage of the six crime bills, law makers expressed concern that the Government would face serious hurdles in enforcing the mandatory sentences while entertaining plea negotiations for certain offences including breaches of the Firearms. On Tuesday, Mr. Golding stated that the administration followed legal advice to change the provisions of the Plea Bargaining law.
"We were advised that this was where it ought to be placed because this would only apply to cases involving plea bargaining. In relation to those offences for which we had imposed through legislation, mandatory sentences, by virtue of this amendment, the judge would, be empowered to grant a lesser sentence (or) accept a proposal for a lesser sentence on the basis that it is done pursuant to a plea bargain agreement," Mr. Golding told Gordon House.
http://rjrnewsonline.com/news/parlia...coming-reality
Prime Minister Bruce Golding piloted amendments to the Plea Bargaining Legislation during Tuesday's sitting of the House of Representatives.
Earlier this year, during the passage of the six crime bills, law makers expressed concern that the Government would face serious hurdles in enforcing the mandatory sentences while entertaining plea negotiations for certain offences including breaches of the Firearms. On Tuesday, Mr. Golding stated that the administration followed legal advice to change the provisions of the Plea Bargaining law.
"We were advised that this was where it ought to be placed because this would only apply to cases involving plea bargaining. In relation to those offences for which we had imposed through legislation, mandatory sentences, by virtue of this amendment, the judge would, be empowered to grant a lesser sentence (or) accept a proposal for a lesser sentence on the basis that it is done pursuant to a plea bargain agreement," Mr. Golding told Gordon House.
http://rjrnewsonline.com/news/parlia...coming-reality
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