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Sunday 6 December 2015

Joining a trade union

Q: Is it possible to leave one trade union and join another? If yes what is the process????
 
A: Section 71 of the Industrial Relations Act 1972, as amended:
Every worker as between himself, his employer and co-workers shall have the following rights, that is to say:
(a) the right to be a member of any trade union or any number of trade unions of his choice;
(b) the right not to be a member of any trade union or other organisation of workers or to refuse to be a member of any particular trade union or other organisation of workers;

All you need it do is stop paying your dues and find out what you need to do to join the other(s).

And if you’re out union shopping, remember to apply the same criteria as when selecting a lawyer (see post on good and bad lawyers).



Sunday 29 November 2015

Greedy Lawyers, the untouchable criminals

As you come here looking for legal information to guide you in your quest for justice, always remember that 99% of the lawyers out there are crooks. Be smart when choosing. 

Monday 23 November 2015

Cro Cro - Dole Chadee Say (2000 calypso revue)

Cro-Cro relaying a "dream" about former Attorney-General, Ramesh Lawrence-Maharaj and the Dole Chadee gang.
Song starts at 1:06

Friday 30 October 2015

Road traffic laws: keep left except when overtaking

There seems to be some confusion regarding road traffic laws in this lawless country of ours, so please allow me to clarify.


According to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Regulations (G 1.6.44) under the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act 1934, as amended, it is the LAW to keep to the left side of any roadway, REGARDLESS of the speed at which one is driving.


Regulation #38 - Every driver of a motor vehicle shall comply with the following rules:
  • Rule #5(1) - S/He shall keep the motor vehicle on the left of the road unless prevented by some sufficient cause...

  • Rule #10 - Slow moving traffic shall keep as much to the left as possible at all times...

  • Rule #105 - Wherever dual carriageways are provided along a public road all vehicles shall proceed along or keep to the left hand carriageway and shall keep to the left side of the left hand carriageway except when overtaking.


Thursday 15 October 2015

Trinidad and Tobago Labour Board

Q: What kinds of matters does the Labour Board deal with?
A: There is no such thing as a "labour board" in Trinidad & Tobago. There is a Ministry of Labour with different units. For workers, the two main units would be the Labour Inspectorate Unit and the Conciliation & Labour Relations Unit.

  • The LIU deals with issues regarding minimum wage workers.
  • The CLRU deals with matters regarding any other aspect of employment. To an individual worker, their only purpose is to offer basic advice and direct you to a trade union.* The CLRU is the first stop for workers, but they can't offer any real help without the involvement of a union.

*You are welcomed to join our trade union: Trinidad and Tobago Workers' Association.

Sunday 11 October 2015

Sexual harassment in Trinidad and Tobago



If you are being sexually harassed at work, please reach out to me so we can help you. Remember, sexual harassment is often-times disguised as a compliment. Don't let it get out-of-hand!

Friday 9 October 2015

Importance of having legal representation

I get quite a few "do I need a lawyer?" questions... here's the answer. 

Representation in court is not always required, but I would at least suggest getting advice prior to the hearing.

Tuesday 22 September 2015

Service of summons or documents

Q: I am trying to serve a person for a civil matter, but they refuse to accept it; what can I do?

A: According to section 59(2) of the Interpretation Act 1962, as amended:

(2) Where a written law made after the commencement of this Act authorises or requires a document to be served on any person without directing it to be served in a particular manner, the service of that document may be effected either—

  • (a) by personal service; or

  • (b) by post in accordance with subsection (1); or

  • (c) by leaving it for him with some person apparently over the age of sixteen years at his usual or last known place of abode or business; or

  • (d) in the case of a corporate body or of any association of persons, whether incorporated or not, by delivering it to the secretary or clerk of the body or association at the registered or principal office of the body or association or serving it by post on such secretary or clerk at such office; or

  • (e) if it is not practicable after reasonable inquiry to ascertain the name or address of an owner, lessee or occupier of premises on whom the document should be served, by addressing the document to him by the description of “owner” or “lessee” or “occupier”, as the case may be, of the premises (naming them) to which the document relates, by affixing it, or a copy of it, to some conspicuous part of the premises.

Saturday 12 September 2015

The new government of Trinidad & Tobago

Here's a list of the government ministries under the PNM government from 2015. 

Office of the Prime Minister
Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley   Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago


Minister in the Ministry of the Office of the Prime Minister
Minister: The Honourable Ayanna Webster-Roy


Office of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs
Minister: The Honourable Faris Al Rawi


Minister in the Office of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs
Minister: The Honourable Stuart Young


Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries
Minister: Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat


Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries
Senator the Honourable Avinash Singh


Ministry of Communications
Minister: The Honourable Maxie Cuffie


Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts
Minister: Dr. the Honourable Nyan Gadsby-Dolly


Ministry of Education
Minister: The Honourable Anthony Garcia


Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries
Minister: The Honourable Nicole Olivierre


Ministry of Finance
Minister: The Honourable Colm Imbert


Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs
Minister: Senator the Honourable Denis Moses


Ministry of Health
Minister: The Honourable Terrence Deyalsingh

Ministry of Housing and Urban Development
Minister: The Honourable Marlene McDonald


Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development
Minister: Senator the Honourable Jennifer Baptiste-Primus


Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government
Minister: Senator the Honourable Franklyn Khan


Ministry of National Security
Minister: The Honourable Major General (Retired) Edmund Ernest Dillon


Ministry of Social Development and Family Services
Minister: The Honourable Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn


Ministry of Planning and Development
Minister: The Honourable Camille Robinson-Regis


Ministry of Public Administration
Minister: The Honourable Randall Mitchell


Ministry of Public Utilities
Minister: The Honourable Brigadier General (Retired) Ancil Antoine


Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs
Minister: The Honourable Darryl Smith


Ministry of Tourism
Minister: The Honourable Shamfa Cudjoe


Ministry of Trade and Industry
Minister: Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon


Ministry of Works and Transport
Minister: The Honourable Fitzgerald Hinds


Thursday 27 August 2015

Employee election voting rights

Q: Can my employer refuse to give me time off to vote?


A: Employers are required to give their employees two hours paid time off to vote.

According to section 36(2) of the Representation of People Act 1967, as amended
"Every employer shall on polling day allow every elector in his employ the prescribed period for voting and no employer shall make any deduction from the pay or other remuneration of any such elector or impose upon or exact from him any penalty by reason of his absence during that period"

Additionally, according to Rule 28 under the Election Rules deemed to be made under section 161 of the Act states:
“Every employer shall permit each elector in his employment to be absent from his work on polling day during the hours of the poll for two hours in addition to the normal midday meal hour.”

The penalty for non-compliance is enshrined in section 96 of the Act:
"An employer who fails to comply with any of the provisions on section 36 (2) and any person who directly or indirectly by intimidation, undue influence, or in any other way interferes with the granting to an elector or the prescribed period for voting referred to in that subsection is liable on summary conviction to fine of $30,000 or to imprisonment for 12 months."


Tuesday 25 August 2015

Trinidad and Tobago voting rights

Q: I came to Trinidad in 2002 and became a permanent resident for 7 years. I am a British citizen.  Can I vote? And my friend is a permanent resident from China, can he vote too? We all have ID cards for long. Awaiting your reply.


A: All adult Trinidad and Tobago citizens can vote. Additionally, Commonwealth citizens can vote if they are:
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Resided legally in Trinidad and Tobago for a period of at least one year, 
  • Resided in an electoral district/constituency for a least two months prior to the Qualifying Date.

A Non-Commonwealth citizen is not eligible to vote in parliamentary elections.

Saturday 22 August 2015

Thursday 13 August 2015

Trinidad & Tobago vehicle tint law

Q: Is 20% tint too dark/illegal to have on your car windows? 



A: There is no legal percentage in Trinidad and Tobago law. According to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act 1934, as amended:

23. (1) Save as provided in this section—
(d) no motor vehicle the windscreen or any other window of which is fitted with glass so tinted, treated or darkened as to obscure the view of the inside of the vehicle from the outside


The law is not clear. Visibility through tint is relative and can be determined by the time of day, the weather, etc.


Also, the Act does not give a police officer the authority to order a driver to remove tint from their vehicle. Police officers don't know this, so they will still give the instruction. If you are instructed to do so, refuse and accept the ticket... then contact me.

When a law lacks clarity or is based on personal perception, it is impossible to enforce. 

Wednesday 8 July 2015

Trinidad and Tobago fraud

Q: Hi, I am an employer and we recently discovered that an employee purported to have a degree that he doesn’t. What is the law on this issue?


Any person who is convicted on indictment of any of the following offences, that is to say, any cheat or fraud punishable at common law; any conspiracy to cheat or defraud, or to extort money (the Courts should interpret this to apply to the salaries of the fraudsters) or goods... liable to imprisonment for any term warranted by law, and also to be kept to hard labour during the whole or any part of such term of imprisonment.

Section 2:
Every offence which, if done or committed in England, would amount to an offence at common law shall, if done or committed in Trinidad and Tobago, be taken to be an indictable offence, and shall be liable to be and *shall be punished in the same manner as it would be in England, under or by virtue of any special or general statute providing for the punishment of such offence, or, if there be no such statute, by the common law.



Of course, issues with shop bought and/or inadequate qualifications are nothing new in Trinidad and Tobago, especially for people in very high-ranking positions.

Being unqualified and/or buying a degree online from fake and unaccredited universities is apparently the way to go... working hard and EARNING a position is no longer relevant.
  1. In 1989 Surujrattan Rambachan received a “doctorate” from an unaccredited university by the name of Pacific Southern University.

  2. Ricardo Vincent lectured at Arthur Lok Jack from January 2006 – December 2009, and claims to have a doctorate in Global Leadership from unaccredited New Port University (now called Janus University).

  3. In 2012, Simon Bahaw went from being a WASA Customer Service Representative earning $7,500 a month to making $25,000 as Telecommunications Manager, despite his “degree” from Canterbury University

  4. In 2013, concessions were made for Wade Mark by the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business to accommodate Mark, and in some cases revealed that Mark did not complete several core coursework, which would have enabled him to graduate.
    Programme director at Arthur Lok Jack, Brian Ghent, tendered his resignation over the awarding of the Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) to House Speaker Wade Mark.

  5. Former 1990 coup commissioner, Hafizool Ali Mohammed got his “doctorate” from Atlantic International University.

  6. Former Airports Authority of T&T deputy chairman, Kurt Ajodha, misrepresented the truth about his possession of a degree

  7. In 2011, Reshmi Ramnarine resigned after her qualifications for the post of director of the Security Intelligence Agency came into question. She did not have an IT degree from UWI

  8. Former acting general manager of Airports Operations at the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, Dayanand Birju’s certificate from the University of Massachusetts in Boston, USA was discovered to be a forgery in 2013.

  9. In 2001, Winston Cuffie got his “doctorate” from Golden Pacific University.

  10. Devanty Dianne Maraj-Ramdeen became CEO of the Equal Opportunity Commission without completing a Master’s degree as required for the position at the time of appointment. Also did not possess the required experience. Another Reshmi?

  11. Sandra Fernandez became the CEO of National Quarries after lying about a bachelor’s degree in business management from the School of Business and Computer Science.

  12. The racist and clearly corrupted Devant Maharaj, appointed Rabindra Moonan as the chairman of Caribbean Airlines, overseeing a billion-dollar budget. Rabindra was a CEPEP contractor with no significant executive management experience, whose biggest operation has been the contract awarded since the PP came to power.

  13. Omar Khan quit his chairmanship of the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission when it was discovered that he lied about a Mechanical Engineering degree from UWI. But then later tried to lie to say he got it from the University of Manitoba via "distance learning" (which is not an option; see for yourself: http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/engineering/departments/mechanical/undergrad/mechprognewadmits.html).

Monday 22 June 2015

Sick leave days

Q: Do the days on a sick leave note include weekends and public holidays?

A: Yes, sick leave includes weekends and public holidays.

For example, if the doctor gives you 4 days sick leave from Friday, it will NOT be Friday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday; it will be Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. 

Sunday 31 May 2015

Becoming a judge in Trinidad and Tobago

Q: I want to be a Judge; what do I need to do?


A: Before a person is considered for judgeship, s/he must first be an attorney-at-law, so your first step is law school.

  • Magistrate's court - at least five years standing as an Attorney-at-Law.
  • High Court Judge - at least ten years’ standing as an Attorney-at-Law.
  • Court of Appeal - High Court Judges who have sat on the Bench for at least three years and been Attorneys-at-Law for at least 15 years
  • Masters of the High Court - minimum of seven years standing as an Attorney-at-Law

Maybe someday you will even become the Chief Justice - the highest judge in Trinidad and Tobago who presides over the Supreme Court of Judicature.

This and other information can be found on the website of the Judiciary of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Saturday 9 May 2015

T&T law on "doli incapax"

For those of you who read my weekly Sunday Newsday columns, you probably would've read this article, where I expressed my concern with the declining quality of legal professionals in Trinidad and Tobago, especially as a result of the DEFICIENT distance learning education offered by the University of London.



Anyway, on Sunday May 3rd, 2015, a 9-year-old boy jumped into a car and went for a joyride that came to an abrupt end when he crashed into another car. Thankfully, this ended in damage to property and not death or serious injuries to him or anyone else. 

As is customary, legal minds all came out of the woodwork to give their learned contribution to another legal debate, with the headline stating that a child under 10 could not be charged because of the legal principle, "doli incapax".
Firstly, this information was egregious; and secondly, "doli incapax" was incorrectly translated to mean "incapable of committing a crime." In actuality, the Latin term "incapax" is directly translated as "incapable," and "doli" as "deceit or fraud". 

Subhas Panday was the main contributor of this nonsense, apparently quoting outdated British law to be applied in Trinidad and Tobago. I say outdated because doli incapax was  abolished under section 34 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, and confirmed by the House of Lords in the case of R v JTB [2009] UKHL 20.


Subhas was confident in his declaration that "the boy is doli incapax in the eyes of the law", stating that the boy could not be held responsible for the offence of larceny because he was under the age of 10.

How this "senior criminal lawyer" (as he was described by the newspaper) could spew this inanity in the public domain is beyond me. 

According to section 2 of the  Summary Courts Act 1918, as amended a child is between the ages of 7 and 14 years old.  However, as is common in our banana republic, one legislation contradicts another, so according to section 2 of the Children Act 1925, as amended, a child is said to be ‘a person under the age of fourteen years’. 

Naturally, when this information was presented to the "senior criminal lawyer", he back tracked, instead opining that the law be changed.  

Subhas' misplaced confidence was even more evident when he said that the question of the child actually committing the offence according to the definition of "steals" under section 3 of the Larceny Act 1919, as amended "does not even arise" because of doli incapax. 

Clearly, he shares the common misconception that the presumption of doli incapax is a defence. Au contraire, the law is clear;  the burden is on the prosecution to rebut the presumption in every case, or there is no case to answer. It is NOT an automatic defence.

Also, in the British case of C v DPP [1995] 2 All ER 43 at 62, a further principle regarding rebuttal was that the guilty knowledge "must be proved by express evidence, and cannot in any case be presumed from mere commission of the act."

Further case law highlighted the fact that the starting point for assessing a child's understanding will generally be his/her age and the type of act committed. The closer the child is to 14, and the more obviously wrong the act, the easier it will be to rebut the presumption. 

Perhaps the most common form of evidence used to rebut the presumption is what the child says when interviewed by the police. It is also possible, but not necessary, to call an expert witness to give evidence on the child's developmental state.


History of doli incapax: 
Doli incapax was said to have originated during the reign of Edward III in the 14th century; however, recognition of the fact that children may not have criminal capacity can be traced back even further to ancient laws, like those of King Ine from 688 AD and King Aethelstan from 925 AD.


This is a British anachronism that they themselves have rejected for almost 2 decades, yet we have our lawyers quoting it and trying to use it to guide our local system.

Instead of dealing with real issues and reforming and implementing legislation to make the legal system clearer and better, our politicians waste time discussing pointless motions of no-confidence in Parliament.



Sunday 3 May 2015

For those law students who ask about doing a PhD

Q: Should I do a Ph.D.?

A: As long as you're ready to challenge the conventional thinking of anything, of course. People would think you're stupid or crazy for going against the norm, but who cares? A Ph.D. is all about adding new and unique knowledge or perspectives to your area of choice. 


Imagine a circle that contains all of human knowledge:
By the time you finish elementary/primary school, you know a little:
By the time you finish high school, you know a bit more:
With a bachelor's degree, you gain a specialty:
A master's degree deepens that specialty:
Reading research papers takes you to the edge of human knowledge:
Once you're at the boundary, you focus:
You push at the boundary for a few years:
Until one day, the boundary gives way:
And, that dent you've made is called a Ph.D.:
Of course, the world looks different to you now:
So, don't forget the bigger picture:

Keep pushing.

Tuesday 21 April 2015

Trinidad and Tobago trade union

Q: Which trade union would you recommend that I join in Trinidad and Tobago?



A: Just like lawyers, choosing the wrong trade union will make getting justice almost impossible. And unfortunately, many trade unions make workers sign up just to get their dues by promising them all sorts of favourable outcomes, when in most cases they have no case. 

If you want a knowledgeable trade union executive team with strong legal background, and who isn't focused on ripping you off, the trade union that I would recommend is the Trinidad and Tobago Workers' Association

Thursday 16 April 2015

Consequences of parent breaching an access/visitation/contact order

I get a lot of questions from parents asking what can be done about another parent who breaches a court order for access/visitation/contact.


The simple answer to that is filing an application for contempt of court. Contempt of court is basically an act of deliberate disobedience of, or disregard for the instructions of a Judge.

In today's Trinidad and Tobago Newsday newspaper, there is an article with the headline Mom faces jail if she fails to give up son to ex-husband.

In the article, Dianne Dabiedeen, refused to allow the father, Rajpat Dabiedeen to have access on weekends and during school holidays to their 14-year-old son, Richard Matthew Dabiedeen.

The order, which was made in March 2014 was never followed, so Rajpat filed a "Contempt of Court" application.

As a result of that application and hearing, Dianne must now follow the order or face seven (7) days in jail.

Which option do you think she'll choose?

Thursday 9 April 2015

Worldwide police brutality

In Sange Grande, Trinidad: 12 cops charged for burning man.
  1. Woman SRP Giselle Skeete
  2. acting Insp Kenneth Rampersad
  3. acting Cpl Allan Khan
  4. PC Anil Mootoo
  5. PC Keron Nanan
  6. PC Joel Boodoosingh
  7. SRP Ryan Williams
  8. PC Ashki Charles
  9. PC Marvin Mendosa
  10. SRP sergeant Glen Elder
  11. acting Cpl Ravi Doon
  12. Cpl Nicholas Vialva
Charges against these 11 were laid indictably and they were not called upon to enter a plea:
  • Skeete, Rampersad, Khan, Mootoo, Nanan, Boodoosingh, Williams, Charles, and Mendosa, were charged with misbehaviour in public office.
  • Elder and Doon were charged with perverting the course of public justice.
Vialva, however, was charged summarily for failing to act after receiving information.

He pleaded not guilty to this charge.



Then we have the April 4, 2015 shooting of Walter Scott by North Charleston Patrolman 1st Class, Michael Thomas Slager. 





Now watch this clip from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” which dealt with such systemic police racism and brutality in an episode called “Cased Up” that aired in 1991.


Thursday 26 March 2015

Supporters of the "no confidence motion against Dr. Keith Rowley"

The importance of knowing your rights and having access to information...
sheep
noun: sheep; plural noun: sheep

1. a domesticated ruminant mammal with a thick woolly coat and (typically only in the male) curving horns. It is kept in flocks for its wool or meat, and is proverbial for its tendency to follow others in the flock.

2. used with reference to people who are too easily influenced or led. 


An informed public is the greatest weapon of democracy - Erwin Chemerinsky

Monday 16 March 2015

Police powers to arrest without a warrant

 Q: When will I know if I am being illegally detained by the police?
A: According to section 46 of the Police Service Act 2006, as amended: 
(1) A police officer may arrest without a warrant—
(a) a person who is charged by another person with committing an aggravated assault in any case in which such police officer believes upon reasonable ground that such assault has been committed although not within his view, and that by reason of the recent commission of the offence a warrant could not have been obtained for the apprehension of the offender;

(b) a person who commits a breach of the peace in his presence;

(c) a person who obstructs a police officer while in the execution of his duty, or who has escaped or attempts to escape from lawful custody;

(d) a person in whose possession anything is found which may reasonably be suspected to have been stolen or who may reasonably be suspected of having committed an offence with reference to such thing;

(e) a person whom he finds lying or loitering in any public or private place or building and who does not give a satisfactory account of himself;

(f) a person whom he finds in any public or private place or building and whom he suspects upon reasonable grounds of having committed or being about to commit an offence; or

(g) a person found having in his possession without lawful excuse any implement of housebreaking.


(2) Without prejudice to the powers conferred upon a police officer by subsection (1), a police officer, and all persons whom he may call to his assistance, may arrest without a warrant a person who within view of such police officer commits an offence and whose name or residence is unknown to such police officer and cannot be ascertained by him.

Thursday 12 February 2015

10 T&T laws you didn't know existed


It is illegal to:

1.      Beg - s.45(b) of the Summary Offences Act 1921, as amended.

2.      Engage in fortune telling - s.45(e) of the Summary Offences Act 1921, as amended.

3.      Repair, wash or clean a vehicle on the street - s.64(1)(a) of the Summary Offences Act 1921, as amended.

4.      Fly kites. - s.71 of the Summary Offences Act 1921, as amended. Kite flying is only legal in Queen's Park and Arima Savannahs

5.      Blow your horn in municipal areas between 9pm – 5:30am - Rule 12(2) of The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Regulations under the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act 1934, as amended. N.B. Municipal area” means one of the areas under the First and Second Schedules of the Municipal Corporations Act 1990, as amended

6.      Sell fresh meat or fresh fish in Princess Town outside of the public market - Section 6 of the Country Markets Act 1905, as amended. The fine is currently $200

7.      Import a mongoose - s.2(1) of the Mongoose Act 1918

8.      Pay workers with anything other than money - The Truck Act 1918, as amended. The truck system was the practice of paying wages in goods, or of requiring workers to purchase goods at certain shops. This led to workers being compelled to take goods of inferior quality at a high price.

And the others
9.      Whilst considered incestuous and therefore illegal prior to 1911, a man can now legally marry his sister-in-law after his wife has died. - Deceased Wife’s Sister’s Marriage Act, 1911

10.  The extremely unfair Landlord and Tenant Ordinance, 1846 has never been amended and unfortunately remains law in Trinidad and Tobago in 2015.


Thursday 5 February 2015

T&T law on camouflage clothing

Q: What is the law on wearing camouflage clothing in Trinidad and Tobago?


A: It is illegal to wear or import any item of clothing resembling the uniform of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force... 

Summary Offences Act 1921, as amended
98. (1) A person not serving in the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force shall not wear, without the Minister’s permission, the uniform of any member of that Force, or any dress having the appearance or bearing any of the regimental or other distinctive marks of any such uniform: This enactment shall not prevent any person from wearing any uniform or dress in the course of a stage play performed in a place duly licensed or authorised for the public performance of stage plays, or in the course of any bona fide military representation. 
(2) Any person who contravenes this section is liable to a fine of two hundred dollars. 
(3) Any person not serving in the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force who wears, without the Minister’s permission, the uniform of any member of those Forces, or any dress having the appearance or bearing any of the regimental or other distinctive marks of any such uniform, in such a manner or under such circumstances as to be likely to bring contempt upon that uniform, or employs any other person so to wear that uniform or dress, he shall be liable to a fine of four hundred dollars.
  
219. A person, other than a member of the Defence Force, who without lawful excuse (the proof whereof shall lie on him)—
(a) wears the uniform or any portion of the uniforms of a member of the Defence Force; or
(b) wears any costume or any article of clothing or apparel so closely resembling the uniform or any portion thereof of a member of the Defence Force, as may cause such person to be mistaken for a member of the Defence Force, is liable on summary conviction to a fine of one thousand dollars and to imprisonment for eighteen months.

213. Any person who—
(a) imports or brings or is concerned in importing or bringing into Trinidad and Tobago any prohibited goods, or any goods the importation of which is restricted, contrary to such prohibition or restriction, whether the goods are unloaded or not;
(b) unloads, or assists or is otherwise concerned in unloading any goods which are prohibited, or any goods which are restricted and are imported contrary to such restriction; 
(c) knowingly harbours, keeps or conceals, or knowingly permits or suffers, or causes or procures to be harboured, kept or concealed any prohibited, restricted or un-customed goods;
(d) knowingly acquires possession of or is in any way knowingly concerned in carrying, removing, depositing, concealing, or in any manner dealing with any goods with intent to defraud the State of any duties thereon, or to evade any prohibition or restriction of or applicable to the goods;
(e) is in any way knowingly concerned in any fraudulent evasion or attempt at evasion of any import or export duties of Customs, or of the laws and restrictions of the Customs relating to the importation, unloading, warehousing, delivery, removal, loading and exportation of goods;
(f) sells, offers for sale or exposes for sale any goods which he knows to be prohibited or restricted, shall, notwithstanding sections 248 and 249, incur a penalty—
(i) on summary conviction in the case of a first offence, to a fine of fifty thousand dollars or treble the value of the goods, whichever is the greater, and to imprisonment for a term of eight years;
(ii) on summary conviction in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of one hundred thousand dollars or treble the value of the goods, whichever is the greater, and to imprisonment for a term of fifteen years; and
(iii) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term of twenty years.