• Latest
Caribbean Court of Justice and other Justice-related matters

Thumbs Up for Immediate Access to a Lawyer

4 years ago
Congratulations to Grenlec’s BFF Winners

Congratulations to Grenlec’s BFF Winners

9 hours ago
Government and trade unions disagree over deferral request

Government and trade unions disagree over deferral request

15 hours ago
5 Grenadian Artistes at International Soca Monarch Semis

Infrastructure Ministry awaiting “no objection” to commence St Patrick coastal study

16 hours ago
Lawrence Samuel is chairman of Transport Commission

Lawrence Samuel is chairman of Transport Commission

16 hours ago
Political Parties Share Different Views on Grenada’s Rural Economy

Government breaks down real cost of 4% salary increase

1 day ago
4th Annual Caribbean Water Operators Conference

EOI: Geotechnical Investigations, Testing and Reporting

1 day ago
No need to panic over shark sightings

No need to panic over shark sightings

1 day ago
Clarity on State of Emergency, Covid-19 Regulations and curfew

Clarity on State of Emergency, Covid-19 Regulations and curfew

1 day ago
Wear Your Mask campaign launched

Wear Your Mask campaign launched

1 day ago

Relocation of Division of Co-operatives

1 day ago
US Gives Additional Support to Dominica

US Embassy invites videos for Black History Month Secondary School Speech Competition

2 days ago
Belmont Estate gets Kosher certification

Belmont Estate gets Kosher certification

2 days ago
NOW Grenada

Main Header Ad 468x60

booked.net
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
NOW Grenada
No Result
View All Result

Article Header

Thumbs Up for Immediate Access to a Lawyer

This story was posted 4 years ago
17 November 2016
in General News
2 min. read
Share

by Linda Straker

Attorney at law, Derrick Sylvester has applauded the decision by the drafters of the Rights and Freedom Bill to grant persons a constitutional right to speak to a lawyer, when they are immediately detained by police.

The clause covering this area is contained in the Bill of Rights and Freedom, one of the 7 Bills being proposed for amendment to the constitution when the country votes in a referendum on 24 November.

Persons in Grenada do not presently have the constitutional right to immediately speak to a lawyer, when or if detained by law enforcement officers.

“This is one part in that bill that I was pleased to see — because in Grenada we do not have a constitutional right to speak to a lawyer. If you enter most police stations, you will see, you have a right to an attorney at law.  However, if speaking to your attorney at law would interfere with the course of the investigation, then you would be denied that right. So it is not an absolute right. It’s a qualified right,” Sylvester explains.

The Bill of Rights and Freedom, which is Bill number 6 on the ballot, covers more than 40 clauses including gender equality; freedom of the press and other media; intellectual property rights; the right to a state-funded education; and to the protection of children.

Sylvester, who has more than 15 years of practice, has recalled instances in the past when he was prevented from seeing his clients because the clients were not qualified to enjoy that right to immediately speak with a lawyer.

According to the law, a person can be detained for up to 48 hours as a suspect, and at the same time be denied the right to speak to an attorney.

“When I saw this in our constitution, to my mind, that is magnanimous. That is excellent,” he said.

“You may never have a family member that may be arrested who may need an attorney, but is only when the shoe is on the other foot is when you recognise the importance. Your right to an attorney will be embedded in the constitution and I believe that will be a happy day for the public,” Sylvester said.

Despite its many benefits to each citizen, the Bill of Rights and Freedoms has become a hotly debated topic because some religious leaders, as well as some social advocates, are claiming that the gender equality clause will provide for the legalisation of same-sex unions.

However, Attorney General Cajeton Hood has said that this is incorrect because the equality speaks to opportunities, such as equal pay for equal work and not to marriage.

NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements or media content presented by contributors. In case of abuse, click here to report.

Tags: amendmentconstitutionderrick sylvesterlinda strakerreferendumRights and Freedoms
Next Post
Higher Gas Prices for March 2014

Gas Prices for November 2016

Home Sidebar NP 300x250

© NOW Grenada. All Rights Reserved. Published by Aqua Design Inc. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

© NOW Grenada. All Rights Reserved
Published by Aqua Design Inc.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

NOW Grenada
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.