Bar Association takes aim at minimum gun sentence
December 14, 2008
THE JAMAICAN BAR Association is gearing up for a fight with the Government should Parliament vote to institute minimum sentences for gun crimes.
"I don't agree with it and if they try it, we are going to challenge it in court," president Jacqueline Samuels-Brown told The Sunday Gleaner yesterday.
Among a menu of anti-crime proposals now before Parliament is a consideration to impose a minimum 15-year sentence for firearm offences.
At least two members of parliament have voiced their support for this minimum sentence and several others are expected to line up behind them as the Parliament seeks to implement tougher anti-crime measures.
Strong signals to criminals
Ernest Smith, a government MP who practises at the private bar, told The Sunday Gleaner that whenever the matter of the anti-crime bills comes to the lower House for debate, he would vote for measures that would send strong signals to criminals.
"Anything that has the potential to lead to a reduction in crime, that has the potential to send a message to criminals and potential criminals that Jamaica is serious about ridding itself of criminality, has my support," Smith, MP for South West St Ann, said.
West St Thomas MP James Robertson, who has admitted that he has not yet read the report from the joint select committee on crime, said he is in support of much stiffer penalties for gun crimes.
"People cannot be found with guns and bullets in the quantities that they are being found, like in recent times, and be getting away with some light sentences. It can't work," Robertson told The Sunday Gleaner.
In serious times
Asked whether he believes the imposition of minimum sentences could amount to tying the hands of the judge, Robertson said, "That is going to be a concern, but we are in serious times."...
Author: Daraine Luton
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
