Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, January 9, 2023 – Extended wait times for trial are contributing to a conviction rate of barely over 50 percent at the Supreme Court, according to Angela Brooks, Acting DPP.
In 2023, in the magistrate’s court, 389 cases were opened, and of that number, there were 291 convictions, which was a more impressive 75 percent conviction rate. However, at the Supreme Court, 41 cases were heard with 23 convictions (56 percent conviction rate).
“My prosecutors were faced with a barrage of difficulties as a result of the delays in criminal trials. After a period of time, most witnesses were no longer interested in giving evidence, especially when matters were continuously adjourned for various reasons. Undocumented witnesses most times could not be located or did not want to be found,” Brooks said.
