Model Jamaican law

Belize’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Cheryl-Lynn Branker-Taitt is looking at Jamaica’s law books as a model for amendments that she hopes will be made to that country’s Evidence Act.



Branker-Taitt expressed frustration at the high incidence of prosecution cases that suffer because witnesses do not want to testify in court, whether out of embarrassment or fear.



She is seeking to include in the laws of that island a provision by which a person who is kept away from the proceedings because of threats can give sworn statements which can then be used in court.



The DPP explained that although her office was still conducting its research and considering all the possible options regarding changing the law, she would propose a change along the lines of the Jamaican law in the meantime.