DPP preferred 141 indictments, discontinued 23 charges last year

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has said that, in 2022, it received 237 committal documents from magistrates’ courts across the country: 115 were from Demerara, 45 were from Berbice, and 77 were from Essequibo.
Of these 237 depositions, 141 were indicted, 23 charges were discontinued, 63 are receiving attention, and 10 were remitted to the magistrates’ courts.
Besides examining committal records, the functions of the DPP include presenting indictments in the Criminal Assizes at the High Courts in Demerara, Berbice, and Essequibo. During these criminal sessions, one or more state counsel and/or special prosecutor(s) would be assigned to prosecute the cases listed to be heard by the sitting trial judges.
There are four assizes for the year in the county of Demerara, and three assizes each in the counties of Berbice and Essequibo. The courts in all three counties sit nearly simultaneously during these assizes.
The DPP also enters plea bargain agreements with lawyers, at their request and after due consideration of the matter, and also extends advice to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), and other Government agencies.
Further, prisoners who are awaiting trial in the High Courts and other parties to criminal matters can complain to the DPP if they are not satisfied with the Police investigations.
The DPP also receives letters from attorneys-at-law about issues concerning their clients’ cases. The Office of the DPP would take the appropriate action.
Complaints received on misconduct by members of the Police Force are sent to the Commissioner of Police for action to be taken by the Office of Professional Responsibility. Complaints can also be made to the Police Complaints Authority for their action.