Accused initially refuses Attorney, until he learns it could be provided FREE

Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Reporter

#TurksandCaicos, December 21, 2023 – It was on Tuesday November 21st, 2023 that 22-year-old ARNIEL LIGHTBOURNE of Blue Hills, Providenciales appeared before the learned Chief Magistrate (CM) Mr. Jolyon Hatmin facing charges of drug possession and illegal drug distribution/dealings.

The young man was questioned by the CM about legal representation, but said “no” to the question about wanting and having an attorney.  In a further effort to understand who and how the man planned to present himself in court, the Chief Magistrate asked: “…did you have an attorney when you were arrested at police station? Or did duty counsel or a lawyer/ attorney or legal aid visit you at the police station?”

Lightbourne was again very limited in his response and told the CM “no”.

The Hon CM asked young LIGHTBOURNE, “would you like an opportunity to get a lawyer because you know you could apply for legal aid and we could put the matter off until you get counsel through legal aid if it’s approved.”

However, the man once again said, “no”.

Just as the CM was about to proceed with the reading of the charges so the matter could move forward, Defense attorney Mrs. Latisha Williams-Bruce got up from counsel’s row and asked the Hon. CM if she could have a word with him before proceeding?

The learned CM gladly welcomed the assistance of Mrs. Williams- Bruce who, having whispered in the defendant’s ear and he responded to her, Mrs. Williams Bruce told the Chief Magistrate, “he didn’t understand the terms duty counsel, counsel or know the meaning of legal aid.”

The attorney ascertained that the Defendant believed he needed money to pay and was unfamiliar with court jargon.

Mrs. Williams-Bruce who also told the court she knows his family well and if the court would please stand the matter down and grant him bail, this would allow her sometime to look into the matter.

The CM adjourned the matter and granted the accused bail to enable Mrs. Williams-Bruce the opportunity to take proper instructions, as she offered him free legal assistance and representation.

It was eventually evident to the court that the defendant was only saying “no” to legal advice and “no” to legal aid assistance because he did not understand the service could be provided at no cost to him directly.