Less workload, more efficiency for local criminal justice system

– as judicial officials participate in new Criminal Procedure Bill workshop

Law enforcement officers are now more equipped to enact the groundbreaking, Criminal Procedure (Plea Discussion, Plea Agreement and Assistance) Bill of 2024, a major step in reforming Guyana’s criminal justice system, as a result of a training workshop held Wednesday at Cara Lodge Hotel in Quamina Street, Georgetown.
This initiative comes as CARICOM (The Caribbean Community) early last year, had declared crime a public health hazard, and urged immediate action across member states.
Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, speaking at the workshop, highlighted that, with the workshop to familiarise judicial workers with the new laws, Guyana will be leading the charge in implementing Caricom’s vision for a more efficient criminal justice system.
The Attorney General explained that the implementation of this modern law represents a pivotal moment in justice reform in Guyana and the wider Caribbean.
“At an earlier forum held at the Hyatt Regency early last year, at which I had the privilege of attending, a subcommittee of the heads of CARICOM after a two-day symposium, concluded that crime is a public health hazard in the Caribbean; that crime is threatening the very existential nature of our society, and that the criminal justice system is in chaos. And it was resolved at that symposium that every member state must do a deep introspection of their individual criminal justice system and make reforms,” he recalled.
“We have complied with that directive by enacting two of the most modern expressions of those two important mechanisms in the form of legislation in our country last year. The Criminal Law Procedure Plea Discussion, Plea Agreement and Assistance Bill of 2024 was brought into operation on the 21st of January 2025,” he told those gathered.
The National Assembly passed the Criminal Procedure Bill of 2024, reinforcing fairness in plea negotiations.
As a result, accused individuals cannot be pressured into pleading guilty and must be fully informed of their rights, with access to legal counsel.
Additionally, prosecutors must consider all relevant factors before engaging in plea deals and understand potential outcomes.
Further, judges must verify that pleas are made voluntarily and with full awareness.
The bill also mandates clear pre-bargaining procedures, allows withdrawal under justifiable circumstances, and invalidates pleas obtained through fraud or misrepresentation.
Nandlall emphasised that the bargaining mechanism will drastically reduce the workload in the country’s criminal justice system and bring much-needed speed and efficiency in the disposal of criminal cases.
Minister Nandlall noted that engagements with the judiciary are geared towards ensuring a smooth rollout in order to ensure fairness, transparency, and adherence to the principles of freedom of choice.