THERE IS NO NEED to apologise, Magistrate Douglas Frederick – at least not to the majority of online readers who share the view that the High Court should not be granting bail to those who are charged with gun crimes.
Magistrate Frederick drew the ire of High Court judge Justice Maureen Crane-Scott who called an apology from her judicial colleague during an interview with the WEEKEND NATION.
He said High Court judges were not taking the view of magistrates seriously and it was becoming a recurring situation. Justice Crane-Scott said, however, that magistrates did not have any power to grant bail for indictable firearms offences.
Here are some views on the topic:
David E. Hall: There is simply too much gun violence in Barbados and continually slapping on the wrist . . . will not help. I agree with Magistrate Frederick.
Mappofbar: One must ask how long will Barbadians stand for the madness. From all indications, the law-abiding citizens are indeed concerned about the lawlessness. It may just be a matter of time before they stage mass protests.
Fiona: But Madam Justice, you have omitted to address the substantive issue. Perhaps your Press time would have been better spent highlighting the initiatives to address the problem the magistrate identified. Perhaps his divisive outburst is prompted by the lack of resolution to the problem?
Lead Pipe: Brother man! If I could, I would shake your hand. Do not apologise! They should get no bail.
Simon Templar: In many ways, the harsh spotlight being shone on lawyers, judges and magistrates, by the public and CCJ (Caribbean Court of Justice) is great for Barbados. For far too long, the workings of the legal system have produced less than stellar results. I am not certain why an apology is necessary. No one is above criticism, least of all the judges who must be among the [slowest] in the world in delivering judgements.
Rev. Cameron Jones: Continue to stand for what’s right Mr Frederick . . . . Sometimes you just have to stand alone in what is right.
Calypsocalover: Gun crimes are not minor offences and there has to be some real hard evidence for the person to end up in court in the first place. So I believe it is better to err in these instances on the side of safety for the overall society, and keep these persons who come before the courts for such offences locked up.
Chris Kinkaid: I hope you people realise that you’re inviting others to ignore the rule of law. What Magistrate Douglas said was . . . incorrect and he should apologise. There is a reason why we have a magistrates’ court and a High Court. A magistrate cannot be making these kinds of erroneous comments. This is tantamount to the tail attempting to wag the dog.
