Office of the DPP reports on year gone by at 2024 Legal Year Opening

Dana, Malcolm

staff writer

#TurksandCaicos, January 19, 2024 – “It would be remiss of me not to mention the dire shortage situation at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, (ODPP)” said Angela Brooks, Acting DPP of the Turks and Caicos as she spoke during the legal Year Opening Ceremony on January 4th.

Brooks took care to address concerns from residents regarding the judiciary, including the length of time some court cases are taking to be called, low numbers of prosecutors and evidence flubs in cases.

“Despite the hard work and support of the human resource management directorate in addressing the situation there is one vacant position for Principal Prosecutor, three vacant positions for senior public prosecutor, and one vacant position for public prosecutor,” Brooks revealed.

She indicated it had been difficult attracting ‘the right caliber’ of prosecutors. “The local prosecutors have always found the grass greener in the private sector and other government departments,” she lamented.

The Acting DPP is hopeful that with the significant pay raise granted to the public service, the ODPP would find recruitment easier.

Regarding public ire over long wait times for cases, Brooks maintained that improvements had been made in cases regarding vulnerable residents, “As we move to build this infrastructure our public prosecutors are now in a better position to collaborate with the court, the police, and other law enforcement agencies to implement a fast-tracked prosecution mechanism for cases involving children and other vulnerable people n custody, and persons affected by gender-based violence.”

The Office of the DPP is also working diligently to recover the proceeds of crime under a partnership with the financial crimes unit. It has recovered over $100,000 in recent cases.

The historic influx of illegal immigrants is also on the ODPP radar as an area of ‘high importance and concern’ Brooks said. In response, a specialized unit has been reactivated to address the urgent need for legal input regarding immigration.  She highlighted a recent case, where an individual was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for assisting illegal entry, maintaining that they would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Mishandled evidence has repeatedly proved to be a stumbling block for cases in the Turks and Caicos, Brooks addressed that as well.

“The ODPP pledges to continue providing our stakeholders with the necessary legal and practical training that equips them to properly investigate and preserve the evidence needed for a successful prosecution,” she maintained

For 2023, in the Magistrate’s court, 389 cases were opened, and of that number, there were 291 convictions (75 percent conviction rate). At the supreme court 41 cases were heard with 23 convictions(56 percent conviction) rate.

Brooks said the low rate had to do with extended wait for cases to be brought before a judge which caused witnesses to lose interest, among other factors; but said she was confident matters would be disposed of more quickly going forward

Outgoing DPP Eugene Otuonye, who has served in the TCI public service for 24 years was also present at the event along with Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles, Attorney General; Gordon Burton, Speaker of the House of Assembly; Washington Misick, TCI Premier; E Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier; Edwin Astwood, Leader of the Opposition and Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam, TCI Governor.