DR National fined for overstaying in Territory
James, a national of the Dominican Republic and previous resident of Antigua & Barbuda, had previously pleaded guilty to the charge of remaining in the Territory after the period granted and had been awaiting sentencing for some time.
Crown Counsel Leslie-Ann Faulkner told the court that there was no record against the defendant in either Antigua & Barbuda or the Dominican Republic.
Jennifer Jarvis-Roberts, who held for defence attorney Ruthilia Maximea, noted that the defendant had an illness and had to seek treatment as recently as Monday for same. She asked the court to take the defendant’s early guilty plea into consideration and requested leniency on her behalf.
The defendant allegedly reported to the Civil Registry on February 27, 2012 and was asked about her status in the Territory. She indicated to the officer that she had none and was further asked whether she was in possession of her passport to which she responded in the affirmative.
A later check of the database reportedly confirmed that she indeed had no status with regard to the Territory and a formal report was made after which James was arrested and charged for the offence.
James was previously placed on $45,000 bail.
Magistrate Richards, in handing down her decision today, was guided by previous decisions in the Territory and noted that there were both fines and custodial sentences handed down in the recent past. She said the fact that the defendant had pleaded guilty and was a first time offender gave her a discount.
The defendant was then asked to pay the fine while profusely thanking the court.
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