It has come to the attention of the Grenada Bar Association (GBA) that a statement is being circulated by media houses, on social media and on other platforms informing the public that the Criminal Bar will withdraw its services to persons who engaged in gun violence and gun-related offences during the carnival season.
We state categorically that several members of the Criminal Bar and the general GBA membership are not in agreement with the contents of the statement as it does not represent the consensus of the Criminal Bar nor the general GBA membership.
While the GBA severely condemns the violence that has occurred in the last few months and specifically the shooting that happened during J’ouvert on Monday, 12 August 2024, in St George’s, we cannot adopt an approach that would go against the very law we strive to uphold.
It is a fundamental right entrenched in our Constitution that every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proved or has proven guilty. Also, that person shall be permitted to defend himself before the court in person or, at his own expense, by a legal representative of his own choice. If the statement/approach that is being circulated is maintained, then that presumption of innocence of an accused person would be severely eroded.
The GBA remains committed to the Grenada Peace Initiative in the pursuit of its objective to significantly reduce crime particularly violence in Grenada, and looks forward to the continued support from the public.
Executive Council of the Grenada Bar Association
