And, in other news - we yesterday asked Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa how he feels as an attorney about the events of one week ago. That's when an attorney was jailed, and another was taken to court and charged for rape.
He said it's a sign of balance in public affairs:
Reporter
"In the legal profession, we saw one attorney go to jail for the first time ever in Belize. And then we saw another attorney charged for rape. Can you comment on the blight, it seems, of the legal profession at this time?"
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
"I don't think it is blight, Courtney, but I think it is showing that there is this balance that everyone is treated equally before the law. You always hear politicians, attorneys, businesspeople, they are not subjected to the same treatment as the common man or woman out there. And I think this goes a long way in showing that our justice system is not just fair, it is balanced."
"And everybody, everybody, no matter who you are, are subject to the same rules and laws in the country."
Reporter
"Based on your knowledge of remand laws, do you think OJ should have gotten bail?"
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
"I am not familiar. I know that there was an amendment. I don't know if rape was included in the list of offenses that you are not to be granted bail for. And so I would have to check on that to see if rape was included."
And we see those rules and laws are also being enforced by the General Legal Council. As we reported last night, they investigated a complaint against attorney Bryan Neal. A client claims he paid Neal five thousand dollars and he did not perform the contracted services, nor did he want a refund. The council found him guilty of professional misconduct. Those with similar complaints against attorneys are urged to go to the Bar Association's website and follow the instructions at the complaints portal.
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