Strong caution, CJ tells Spencer Missick he cannot chose his own legal aid lawyer

Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Reporter

#TurksandCaicos, January 19, 2024 – JOHN SPENCER MISSICK sufficiency proceedings were called, and the Hon. Chief Justice (CJ) asked him if he has a lawyer?  Missick replied, “No, my lady, but I did apply for legal aid and asked for Lara Maroof-Misick to represent me.

The CJ paused but when she did speak, it was clear that she took strong offense and with an abrupt response, she said, “No! no! no!, no, you don’t apply for legal aid for Mrs. Lara Maroof-Misick, if your legal aid is approved, the government would be paying for that, so you don’t have a choice who to choose.

The Registrar will choose and assign an attorney.

Not you choosing.”

Missick, when given the chance to speak explained to the Hon. CJ that he was not  attempting to handpick his lawyer.  He said he put Maroof-Misick on his application because she had dealt with him before, and she assisted in his representation when he was arrested at the police station in this matter sometime in May/June of last year.

The CJ appeared to have ignored that and told SPENCER that, “I don’t care what kind personal or professional relationships you and Mrs. Maroof had in the past, that doesn’t give you the right to choose your own attorney.  I’ll adjourn this matter to the next sufficiency hearing of February 2 and by then, the Registrar should have gotten back to you by then.”

Ms. Sophia Sandy-Smith appeared for the ODPP in this matter.