Last night, we showed you the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Amendment Bill, which was passed by the Senate on Tuesday Night. These were included as part of a raft of new touch anti - crime legislation. Tonight, we take look at 3 more amendments which fall under the Police's National Crime Fighting Strategy 2018-2020.
The first is the Protection of Witnesses Act of 2018. Regularly, we report on criminal trials that fall apart because of witnesses who refuse to cooperate, fearing for their own lives.
Well, this new law allows a Magistrate to grant an order prohibiting the disclosure of the identities of persons who are, or are willing to assist in a specified qualifying criminal investigation. An Application for this type of order can be made to the Chief Magistrate by the Commissioner of Police or the Director of Public Prosecution. Weeks ago, Commissioner Whylie said that the law applies to cases of murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, robbery, attempted robbery, rape and a attempted rape.
The DPP's Office can also apply for a Witness Anonymity Order granted so that the identity of key witnesses for the prosecution can be withheld in criminal trials.
Prosecution witnesses may be allowed to testify in case via live television link, or some streaming broadcast platform. That testimony will be admitted in evidence as if the person giving it is present in court. Tape recordings of testimonies can also be admitted as evidence against an accused.
And, the police and government aren't stopping there. At the end of Tuesday's Senate Meeting, the Firearms Amendment Bill was also passed.
The amendments bring stricter gun control, and it expands the categories of possible gun license holders.
There are also a new set of penalties for breaking the Firearms Amendment bill, which now becomes law.
There are now criminal offenses targeted at illegal arms dealers, or persons who have more than 2 illegal weapons in their possession.
Any person who is caught being in possession of more than 2 illegal firearms, or any person who unlawfully imports, exports, acquires, sells, delivers, moves or transfers an illegal firearm, ammunition, or any related materials in or out of Belize is guilty of illicit firearm trafficking. On indictment, convicted persons can be sent to jail for a term of 10 years.
Licensed gun holders also have to be a lot more careful.
If you are a licensed weapon holder, you cannot keep ammunition in excess of the amount prescribed by your license. You also cannot leave your licensed weapon or ammunition in the care of someone who is not authorized by the gun license. Any of these actions are now illegal offenses that can land you in jail for 3 months or a sentence to pay a fine of $500.
Anybody who is in possession of a firearm for which the serial number of the weapon is removed or tampered with is in violation of the new law. The penalty for conviction under this part of the law is a fine of not less than $5,000, but it can go all the way up to $10,000. In default, that convicted person can be sent to jail for a term of 2 to 5 years.
The Police Act also has an amendment bill that was passed at the most recent Senate Meeting. It now adds on an extended list of disciplinary offenses against police officers that the original act did not contemplate.
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