The magistracy needs to be given guidelines on bail policy

Nov 21, 2008 Letters

Dear Editor,
I have just read a most worrying news item in today’s Kaieteur News (18th November, 2008). A young man was denied bail by the magistrate for stealing a cell phone. His next court appearance is 30th November.
What is even more surprising are the reasons given by the prosecutor for her requesting denial of bail, which are that the cell phone was not recovered, and if granted bail the defendant may commit similar offences!
Can anyone imagine the learned magistrate accepting such reasons and denying bail? There were no questions of fleeing the jurisdiction, violent nature of the crime, or tampering with evidence, witnesses or jurors, which are the standard reasons for denial of bail.
I know many persons have written in the past about bail policy by our magistracy, but I am still not convinced that the magistrates have it right. I think it is time that the Chief Justice issues guidelines to the magistrates, and make it public so that we, the citizens, may also be enlightened.
Fazel Khan