NASSAU, BAHAMAS - The government has vowed to amend the law to limit bail rights for people charged with serious crimes.
In his Speech from the Throne, the country's newest Governor Genreal Sir Arthur Foulkes said the government will offer a replacement for the current Bail Act that will limit the circumstances under which bail may be granted.
But at least one prominent Bahamian attorney wonders if the Bail Act is the real source of the problem. Damian Gomez told The Nassau Guardian said the Attorney General's office is often behind trial delays.
Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes delivers his speech from the throne. |
"The real question is why is it taking us so long to provide the Attorney General's office with the resources to ensure that it carries out its lawful mandate," he said.
"If it isn't a question of resources, what is happening in that office that causes delays which inflict incarceration of persons who have in fact not been convicted?
"We are hopeful that the government in its efforts to curtail the conditions under which bail is granted does not impede on the constitutional rights of accused persons and does not ignore the responsibility of the government to ensure our attorney general's office [has the necessary resources] and is efficient in the delivery of the services the public expects it to deliver.
Among the list of other Parliamentary matters that will be placed before the House of Assembly for this session are:
- Legislation to modernize and simplify the probate of estates,
- Amendments to the Road Traffic Act to eliminate Act Insurance and replace it with full third party insurance;
- Legislation to repeal the Hotel Corporation Act;
- The introduction of a Contractors Act;
- Legislation for a Bahamas Financial Services Authority;
- A Law of Property Act and a Registered Land Act;
- Legislation for a Land Adjudication Bill; and
- An amendment to the Antiquities, Monuments, and Museums act which will lift the moratorium on salvaging of historic wrecks.
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