The first Children’s Court in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) will soon be opened at Charity, according to Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall.
Nandlall said he will be joined by members of the judiciary and other officials for the official commissioning ceremony on Thursday.
Speaking during his weekly programme “Issues in the News” on Tuesday evening, he explained that a Children’s Court is a “specialised court that will hear and determine cases in relation to children.”
Two such facilities already exist in the country: at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and at Wales, West Bank Demerara in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).
Nandlall explained that there is a special, legal and statutory dispensation to treat with cases involving children, i.e. the Juvenile Justice Act.
He said this law, in accordance with internationally-established protocols, principles, policies and procedures in relation to juvenile justice, outlines how children are to be tried.
The courts, he further noted, are also designed differently to allow for those practiced procedures and principles.
The magistrates presiding over these courts are specially trained to handle juvenile cases, with a focus on rehabilitation and protection of minors.
These courts hear charges against persons fourteen years old or older, but less than eighteen years old.
In addition to these children’s courts, the Judiciary of Guyana has launched twelve courts to deal specifically with juveniles who are substance abusers.
These courts are located in Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Whim, Fort Wellington, Linden, Leonora, Wales, Vreed-en-Hoop, Suddie, Charity, Sparendaam, and Vigilance.
In May 2022, it was reported that the aim is to reduce crime and substance use among adolescents through therapeutic interventions and judicial supervision. These will also include youths who are charged with minor or nonviolent criminal offences and may have serious drug abuse disorders.
