Attorney-at-law Clive Munroe Jr - file photo
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Report by RJR's Earl Moxam
Attorney-at-law Clive Munroe Jr is recommending the establishment of a special court to try persons charged under the so-called anti-gang legislation.
The anti-gang legislation, properly named The Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Act, was passed in 2014.
It provides for the disruption and suppression of criminal organisations and outlines the offences which are applicable to trial under its jurisdiction.
Mr. Munroe contends that the complexity of those cases makes them ideal for specialised treatment, away from the regular matters coming before the courts.
"To me, the legislation by itself cannot be effective if you're not giving it the right support and you see that the forces are able to collect data, get witnesses, protect them and so on. Maybe you might need specialised courts, you might need courts that have as their remit that, dedicated to this particular issue," he asserted.
The attorney, who was speaking on Sunday's edition of That's a Rap, said there was already clear evidence that approach would be helpful. He cited the ongoing trial of alleged members of the Uchence Wilson gang, noting that proceedings have been underway for at least three months and large number of the defendants is likely to make it a lengthy process.
Government Senator Kavan Gayle supports Mr. Munroe's suggestion, arguing that what is needed is a "support mechanism, those tools that would foster a speedy resolution to some of these issues."
At the time of its passage in the House of Representatives, then attorney general Patrick Atkinson said the anti-gang law would not exist in isolation but would be subject to the supremacy of the Constitution and to the supervision of the courts.
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