Home » Posts » Judge says fines for firearms not a sign courts going easy on gun offenders

Judge says fines for firearms not a sign courts going easy on gun offenders

by Fernella Wedderburn
3 min read
A+A-
Reset

Gunmen in this country must not feel it is all right to have illegal weapons because they can pay whatever fine is imposed on them if convicted, neither should fines be “so miniscule” that the wrong message is sent about the seriousness of the offence.

That was the message Justice Carlisle Greaves sought to make clear with the courts recently fining gun offenders rather than imposing custodial sentences.

The High Court judge said the imposition of fines should not be interpreted as the courts going easy on people who carry illegal firearms.

“. . . . Either to those who are bent on carrying around firearms, or those who may become bent, or to the law-abiding members of our society who may feel that there are some soft options going on in these courts that may encourage rather than deter,” he said.

Justice Greaves made the comments as he presided over the No. 3 Supreme Court on Friday, when he slapped three men in separate gun and ammo possession cases with fines ranging from $5,000 to $30,000.

He said there was a “substantial volume” of firearm cases in this jurisdiction.

“There are over 300 of these cases, inclusive of the possession of firearms and the use of firearms to commit offences which these courts are en route to dispose of in this Supreme Court term. A substantial number of those over 300 cases include possession only – probably about half of those 300 cases include possession of firearms and possession of ammunition,” the judge said.

The court, Justice Greaves said, does “not wish to concede any defeat” but reality required some adjustment in the approach to sentencing, given the large backlog of cases.

“. . . . The courts are not going to be able to try all of these cases. The court has long recognised, therefore, that when those accused save the court’s and taxpayers’ precious time and expense by pleading guilty when they are guilty, that some discount or compassion becomes part of the sentencing regime.

“And so, in accordance with those principles, these courts for the time being have found it practical to impose a substantial fine where the charge is only one of possession and not use of the firearm, where the accused or convict has had no previous convictions for firearm-related offences, and where the firearm has been recovered,” he said.

Adding that the fines range somewhere between $15 000 and $45 000, he said they could be “lower or higher in some exceptional cases”.

The judicial officer who earlier this week expressed concern about the court’s caseload, said “it is now legendary that, over the years, these courts in these jurisdictions have become extremely slow and men have languished out there with charges hanging over their heads like the sword of Damocles.

“While the process had been slow and dilatory, persons have either been required to languish in jail without a clue as to the day they will receive their trial and in breach of their constitutional right to a fair trial in a reasonable time, or they have been set free among members of our community to roam for many years and that is not in the public’s interest,” Justice Greaves added.

He said research showed that many accused persons will commit the same type of offence while on bail.

“Thus, whilst on bail for a long period of time without resolution of their matters, they increase the volume of offences which courts then have to engage with, and thus increase the court’s load,” the High Court judge said.
fernellawedderburn@barbadostoday.bb

You may also like

About Us

Barbados Today logos white-14

The (Barbados) Today Inc. is a privately owned, dynamic and innovative Media Production Company.

Useful Links

Get Our News

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

Barbados Today logos white-14

The (Barbados) Today Inc. is a privately owned, dynamic and innovative Media Production Company.

BT Lifestyle

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Accept Privacy Policy

-
00:00
00:00
Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00