Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Serious matters will proceed despite request for discontinuance – ODPP

Magistrate's Court in John's Hole. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has warned residents of the [British] Virgin Islands that if a criminal matter is deemed to be serious, the case will still proceed before the court of law despite requests for it to be discontinued. Photo: VINO/File
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has informed that it will not accept written requests for ongoing criminal matters to be discontinued from any virtual complainant or witness. Photo: VINO/File
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has informed that it will not accept written requests for ongoing criminal matters to be discontinued from any virtual complainant or witness. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has warned residents of the [British] Virgin Islands that if a criminal matter is deemed to be serious, the case will still proceed before the court of law despite requests for it to be discontinued.

The ODPP made that clear via a statement issued on February 25, 2021.

“In cases of serious matters involving injury to persons, theft, domestic violence, sexual offences, and offences involving children, the Crown shall proceed as a matter of public interest and maintaining public safety,” the statement said.

It also said virtual complainants and witnesses are reminded that failing to appear at court when subpoenaed or summoned may result in legal consequences. 

“Persons are also reminded that threatening, persuading or otherwise influencing a virtual complainant or witness in an attempt to coerce them to not give evidence or to falsify their account of a matter is a criminal offence, and offenders shall be prosecuted.”

Only DPP can discontinue criminal proceedings

In the meantime, the ODPP informed that the office would not accept written requests for ongoing criminal matters to be discontinued from any virtual complainant or witness.

Instead, “If there are concerns about the case, virtual complainants and witnesses should report those to the law enforcement officers in charge of investigating their cases pursuant to Section 59 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007, the only person who can discontinue criminal proceedings before the High Court and the Magistrate’s Court is the Director of Public Prosecutions.”

“It must be borne in mind that when persons make a complaint to the police, Government resources in the form of police investigations and prosecution preparation are engaged,” the ODPP statement added.

6 Responses to “Serious matters will proceed despite request for discontinuance – ODPP”

  • I am not inspired with confidence (26/02/2021, 09:42) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.
    The DPP loves a press release stating how important she is. Is the CoI investigating the performance of her office?
    • o (26/02/2021, 14:35) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Weak to the core.
    • Hot one (26/02/2021, 19:01) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      The DPP is hopeless over prompted and out of her depth - surely the CoI will highlight that we need a competent DPP with better legal skills and judgment.
  • The Watcher (26/02/2021, 10:20) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    you mean if I commit a serious crime I will be prosecuted????? Whatever next?
  • wellsa (26/02/2021, 15:02) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    I think that is bulls***  yall need to go sit down with yall decisions.

  • Really now. (02/03/2021, 17:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Meanwhile as she sits on her high horse, the state is wasting valuable resources on some cases that are obviously going nowhere.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.