Child stands before Magistrate for Firearms Possession Charge

By Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Reporter

#TurksandCaicos, June 19, 2023 – At the Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 13th June 2023, a weeping mother accompanied her young son to appear before Honorable Chief Magistrate, Jolyon Hatmin; the juvenile boy is charged with carrying a firearm.

The court was ordered cleared of everyone uninvolved in the matter as the 15 year old appeared to answer to the alleged firearm bust.

The juvenile’s name will not be published.

It is not clear what actually was said or done in the court at the child’s firearm hearing but we were able to ascertain that the matter is not yet concluded, no decision handed down and that it is adjourned to July 4, 2023.

The boy is represented by Ashwood Forbes, Senior Counsel and Tassja Mitchell, was at the hearing for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Our court reporter, in a sidebar, with several attorneys managed to hear their perspectives on the firearms law and how it handles cases involving minors.

Most offered that this is something new or novel in the TCI and will take some time to research what really is to be done with the alleged boy firearm carrier, if convicted.

However, two counsels explained that the Court does not have the power to impose the mandatory minimum of 7 or 12 years on a child under 18.

For now, the boy is released on bail.