Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, has expressed concerns about a troubling increase in violent and criminal behaviour perpetrated by students within the school system.
Speaking on his weekly programme, “Issues in the News,” Nandlall addressed what he described as a “disturbing phenomenon”, where students appear to be engaging in “devious conduct”, possibly fuelled by misconceptions about the Juvenile Justice Act.
“There seems to be a view held somewhere that as a result of the Juvenile Justice Act, juveniles cannot be charged with criminal conduct. Let me reject that absolutely as an utter falsehood,” Nandlall declared. He emphasized that juveniles who come into conflict with the law remain fully accountable under the act.
The Attorney General clarified that while the act establishes a separate framework for handling juvenile offenders, it does not grant immunity from investigation, prosecution, or conviction.
“They can be charged, they can be detained, they can be prosecuted, and they can be convicted,” Nandlall affirmed.
The Juvenile Justice Act, he explained, merely outlines specific protocols and procedures that must be followed when juveniles are involved in criminal cases, ensuring that law enforcement and the legal system handle these cases appropriately.
Nandlall also noted concerns that some members of the Guyana Police Force have misinterpreted the law, believing they are unable to investigate or prosecute juvenile offenders.
“I am told that some members of the police force are taking the position that they cannot investigate, they can’t detain, they can’t charge, and they can’t prosecute delinquent conduct of juveniles,” he said.
The Attorney General reiterated that legal advice has been provided to the police force on this matter multiple times and stressed that both juveniles and adults who break the law are answerable to the criminal justice system. He hopes that this clarification will put an end to any further misunderstanding regarding the law’s application.
