Minister of Defence and Minister in the Ministry of Homeland Security Wayne Sturge says Government is seeking support to amend Section 5(5) of the Bail Act, Chap. 4:60 – the only subsection he said contains inconsistencies.
While addressing the Senate on Friday, he stated that by amending the Bill, it would ensure the protection of the administration of the criminal justice system from the illicit act of money laundering.
“5(5) stated where persons charged with the offence of murder or the offence mentioned in Subsections 3 or 4 and brought before the court but no evidence has been taken within 180 days within the reading of the charge, or where evidence has been taken but the trial is not completed within one year from the date of the reading of the charge, that person may apply to a judge of master for bail.”
Minister Sturge also noted that the amended Bill will create a regime that would initiate a thorough investigation into the source of cash bails.
“When persons obtain property by the sweat of their brow, that’s an entirely different matter that weighs heavily on them and would weigh heavily on the accused person because he wouldn’t want the person who has secured his liberty before trial to lose his poverty. But when the money used to secure bail is from ill-gotten gain, then there is nothing to prevent the accused from absconding, and the criminal justice system loses.”