tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65797936119108348362024-03-17T23:03:52.160-04:00LEGAL RIGHTS: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGOMany people do not know their legal rights, so this "Legal Wikipedia" is a compilation of answers to legal questions asked in relation to Trinidad and Tobago laws. -------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: The information and links posted on this site are provided solely for educational and informational purposes, and do not constitute legal advice. Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.comBlogger209125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-40047505642669780892020-07-24T18:02:00.000-04:002020-07-24T11:47:04.491-04:00Trinidad and Tobago General Elections<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Q: What is the law regarding the date of general elections in Trinidad and Tobago?<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">A: According to the Trinidad and Tobago </span><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a href="http://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/Constitution.pdf" target="_blank">Constitution</a>,</span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">a normal Parliamentary term is 5 years.</span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">68. (1) The President,
acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, may at any time
prorogue or dissolve Parliament.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">(2) Subject to subsection
(3), Parliament, unless sooner dissolved, shall continue for five years from
the date of its first sitting after any dissolution, and shall then stand
dissolved.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><u>Section 68(3</u>) allows the President to extend the term by 12-month
periods for up to 5 years in times of war.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">This Parliament’s first sitting was on<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Friday June 18, 2010 at
1:30pm. Therefore, the 5 years will end on Wednesday June 17. However, the
general elections can be called at any time within three months of
the dissolution of Parliament:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">69. (1) A general election
of members of the House of Representatives shall be held at such time within
three months after every dissolution of Parliament as the President, acting in
accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, shall appoint.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">History
of elections:</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The
People of Trinidad and Tobago voted for the first time in what could be
designated a general election on Saturday 7th February, 1925.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Over the decades, Trinidad & Tobago was to go through several
constitutional (political) developments, until the P.N.M’s coming into office
in 1956. Between 1925 and 1956, there were several General Elections held:
1928, 1933, 1938, 1946 and 1950. There was supposed to have been General
Elections in 1943, but it was suspended until after the War, which resulted in
the General Elections of 1946.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">During this period (1925 to 1950), adult franchise was granted for
the 1946 General Elections, with the age of majority then being 21 years of age
in order to vote. This was to be further reduced to 18 years of age with the
Republican Constitution of 1976.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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In the meantime, the General Elections for 1955 were constitutionally due by
September, 1955. However, the Constitution Reform Committee, had by Majority
Report, recommended postponement. This postponement, with an election
date to be set, had to be set officially by the Colonial Office, in London,
which subsequently directed the Governor that the term of the Legislative
Council be extended to for an eight-month period, operating up to the 26th May,
1956. This meant that with the minimum four-month period for holding
elections after the dissolution of the Legislative Council, would mean that
elections would be held on the 26th of September, 1956. However, because
that date would occur on a mid-week day, Wednesday, and since Monday is always
more convenient for elections, the date for Election Day shifted to the start
of the working week of Monday the 24th of September, 1956.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Since
then, the following are the dates of general elections:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">1961
-<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">General
elections<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>were held on 4
December. The result was a victory for the PNM</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">,
which won 20 of the 30 seats.</span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">1966</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">-<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>General
elections were held on 7 November.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>The
result was a victory for the PNM</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">, which won 24 of the 36
seats.</span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">1971</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">-<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>General
elections were held on 24 May.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>The
result was a victory for the PNM</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">, which won all 36 seats.</span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">1976</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">-<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>General
elections were held on 13 September.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>The
result was a victory for the PNM</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">, which won 24 of the 36
seats. </span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">1981</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">-<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>General
elections were held on 9 November.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>The
result was a victory for the PNM</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">, which won 26 of the 36
seats</span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">1986</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">-<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>General
elections were held on 15 December.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>The
result was a victory for the NAR</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">, which won 33 of the 36
seats.</span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">1991</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">-<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>General
elections were held on 16 December. The result was a victory for the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>PNM, which won 21 of the 36 seats<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">1995</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">-<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Early
general elections were held on 6 November after the ruling<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>PNM<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>had
seen its majority reduced to a single seat due to a defection and a lost
by-election. The results saw the PNM and the UNC</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"> both
won 17 seats. Although they had received fewer votes, the UNC was able to form
a coalition with the two-seat </span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">National Alliance for
Reconstruction</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">, allowing UNC leader,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Basdeo
Panday,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">to
become the country's first Indo-Trinidadian Prime Minister.</span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">2000</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">-<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>General
elections<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>were held on 11
December.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>The result was a
victory for the UNC</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">, which won 19 of the 36 seats. </span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">2001</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">- Early general elections were held on
10 December, after the ruling UNC lost its majority in the House of Representatives
following four defections. However, the election results saw the UNC and the
PNM both win 18 seats. Although the UNC received the most votes, President A.
N. R. Robinson nominated PNM leader Patrick Manning as Prime Minister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">2002</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">- Early general elections were held in
Trinidad and Tobago on 7 October, after PNM leader, Patrick Manning, had failed
to secure a majority in the hung parliament produced by the 2001 elections.
This time the PNM was able to secure a majority, winning 20 of the 36 seats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">2007</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">-<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>General
elections were held on 5 November. The PNM party under the leadership of Patrick
Manning</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"> won 26 of the 41 seats in Parliament. The UNC-A, under the
leadership of </span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Basdeo Panday</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"> won the 15 remaining seats.
The COP did not win any seats</span><u1:p></u1:p><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">2010</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">-<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>A general
election was held on May 24. The date of the general elections was
announced by Prime Minister</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Patrick
Manning</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"> on April 16, 2010, via a press release. The election was
called over two years earlier than required by law. Polls showing that the
UNC-led opposition coalition was likely to win the election were confirmed by
the subsequent results.</span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The
final outcome has the People's Partnership winning 29 seats, and the PNM</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"> winning
12 seats. As a consequence of the People's Partnership's win, </span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Kamla
Persad-Bissessar</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"> of the People's Partnership coalition was elected Trinidad
and Tobago's first female Prime Minister.</span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">2015</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">– </span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">General elections were held on 7 September.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>The result was a victory for the PNM</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">, which won 23 of the 41 seats.</span><br />
<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><b>2020</b> - General elections are carded for Monday 10th August 2020.</span></div>
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Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-55853983209094596532020-06-07T12:00:00.012-04:002020-06-07T12:26:14.073-04:00R.I.P. George Floyd - Black Lives Matter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Q:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Do you agree with the charges laid against
the police officer who killed George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 25th May
2020?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--FLxLbfr4gs/Xt0TNWKoeLI/AAAAAAAABLA/LyYFLA8biVktryzJ_yYrrOCQ6oMUjk0lwCK4BGAsYHg/s2560/Wright-GlobalProtestsGeorgeFloyd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1707" data-original-width="2560" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--FLxLbfr4gs/Xt0TNWKoeLI/AAAAAAAABLA/LyYFLA8biVktryzJ_yYrrOCQ6oMUjk0lwCK4BGAsYHg/s320/Wright-GlobalProtestsGeorgeFloyd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I am in full agreement with both charges.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Charge
#1:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> <span style="color: red;">2<sup>nd</sup>
Degree Manslaughter</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.205" target="_blank">Minnesota
Statute 609.205</a></span></u></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> – there are five
(5) categories of 2<sup>nd</sup> degree manslaughter, all of which carry a
maximum <b>prison sentence of ten
(10) years or a $20,000 fine</b>; however, this post will only focus on the
offence applicable to the killing of George Floyd:<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"></p><ul><li><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">A
person who causes the death of another by any of the following means is guilty
of manslaughter in the second degree…</span></i></li></ul><p></p></div></blockquote><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><i><!--[if !supportLists]--></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 72pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><i>(1) by
the person's culpable negligence whereby the person <span style="color: red;">creates an unreasonable risk</span>, and <span style="color: red;">consciously takes chances of causing death or great bodily
harm to another</span>…<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><i> </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Charge
#2:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> <span style="color: red;">2<sup>nd</sup>
Degree Murder </span>(upgraded from 3rd degree murder)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.19" target="_blank">Minnesota
Statute 609.19</a></span></u></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> - there are two
types of 2<sup>nd</sup> degree murder, both of which carry a maximum prison
sentence of forty (40) years:<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"></p><ul><li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Intentional
Second degree murder by drive-by shooting is exactly as it sounds.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Unintentional second degree murder </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">has
two subcategories:<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p></p></div></blockquote><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 72pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><i>(1) <span style="color: red;">causes the death </span>of a human being, <span style="color: red;">without intent </span>to effect the death of any
person, <span style="color: red;">while committing </span>or attempting
to commit <span style="color: red;">a felony offense</span><span style="color: #0070c0;">**</span> other than criminal sexual conduct in the
first or second degree with force or violence or a drive-by shooting; or</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">**[for this
category to apply, first proving the felony offence of “manslaughter” is
mandatory]<o:p></o:p></span></i></p></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(2)
causes the death of a human being without intent to effect the death of any
person, while intentionally inflicting or attempting to inflict bodily harm
upon the victim, when the perpetrator is restrained under an order for
protection and the victim is a person designated to receive protection under
the order.</span></p></div></blockquote><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">[This
subcategory clearly doesn’t apply]<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Former
charge</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> – <span style="color: #ed7d31;">3<sup>rd</sup> Degree Murder</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.195" target="_blank">Minnesota
Statute 609.195</a></span></u></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> – there are two (2)
categories of 3rd degree murder, both of which carry a maximum prison
sentence of 25 years; however, this post will only focus on the offence
applicable to the killing of George Floyd:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><i>(a)
Whoever, without intent to effect the death of any person, causes the death of
another by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a
depraved mind, without regard for human life…</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The issue with the 3rd degree
murder charge is proving that the defendant was, at the time of the incident, “evincing
a depraved mind”. What exactly does this term mean? Well, in the Supreme
Court of Minnesota case of </span><u style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://law.justia.com/cases/minnesota/supreme-court/1972/41956-1.html" target="_blank">Statev. Mytych 194 N.W.2d 276 (1972)</a></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, the judges stated
that </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“a mind which has become
inflamed by emotions, disappointments, and hurt to such degree that it ceases
to care for human life and safety is a depraved mind.”</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I don’t think it will be possible to
prove this aspect of the charge for Chauvin, although there have been
comparisons to the </span><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2019/06/07/us/minneapolis-mohamed-noor-sentenced/index.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;" target="_blank">2019 conviction of former Minneapolis police officer, Mohamed
Noor,</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> for <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">3<sup>rd</sup> degree murder and 2<sup>nd</sup></span> degree manslaughter in
the 2017 shooting death of Australian-born, Justine Ruszczyk a month before her
wedding. I maintain that the two circumstances are vastly different.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">#JusticeForGeorgeFloyd<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">#BlackLivesMatter<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></p></div>
Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-80678096533802894832020-05-29T17:53:00.002-04:002020-06-04T13:46:04.493-04:00 The Illegality Defence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Q:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If I am right in a vehicular accident,
but didn’t realise that my insurance policy had lapsed, can I sue the other
driver for damages?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XifdvAReM3k/XtGDl0F3ZZI/AAAAAAAABJU/N0NyKZznW8IrzXULqtTkl6QzN1v5aMVmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ccrc-control.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="850" height="207" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XifdvAReM3k/XtGDl0F3ZZI/AAAAAAAABJU/N0NyKZznW8IrzXULqtTkl6QzN1v5aMVmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/ccrc-control.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Ex turpi
causa non oritur actio</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"from a
dishonorable cause, an action does not arise"</i>) is a brocard (legal Latin
terminology) that refers to the fact that no action may be founded on illegal
or immoral conduct. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Driving without insurance is illegal,
contrary to the <u><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/alphabetical_list/lawspdfs/48.51.pdf" target="_blank">Motor Vehicles Insurance<o:p></o:p></a></u></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/alphabetical_list/lawspdfs/48.51.pdf" target="_blank">(Third-Party Risks) Act 1933, as amended</a></span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">3. (1)
Subject to this Act, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">it shall not be lawful for any person</span></b><span style="color: red;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">to use</b></span>, or
to cause or permit any other person to use, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">a motor vehicle</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>or licensed trailer <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">on a public road</span></b><span style="color: red;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">unless there is</b> </span>in
force in relation to the user of the motor vehicle or licensed trailer by that
person or that other person, as the case may be, such <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">a policy of insurance</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>or such a security in respect of third party risks as
complies with the requirements of this Act.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(2) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">If a person acts in
contravention of this section</span></b>, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">he is liable to a fine of seven thousand, five hundred
dollars and to imprisonment for two years</span></b>, and a person convicted of
an offence under this section shall (unless the Court for special reasons thinks
fit to order otherwise and without prejudice to the power of the Court to order
a longer period of disqualification) be disqualified for holding or obtaining a
driving permit under the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act for a period of
three years from the date of the conviction.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">As a result, if t</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">he defendant relies on this defence, </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">your claim will be </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">unsuccessful because had you not acted illegally by driving without insurance, the accident would not have occurred. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span></div>
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Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-51532419227500004702020-05-25T16:00:00.000-04:002020-05-25T16:22:30.929-04:00Consumer rights: no return, no refund<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Q:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is a "No Refund" or "All Sales
Final" store policy legal in Trinidad & Tobago?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G3BY4KwzHLw/XswoOFh6A8I/AAAAAAAABIs/nT0WKpWTvgIqNLfJaLYCqsILCMbKJsjggCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/no-return-no-exchange.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="84" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G3BY4KwzHLw/XswoOFh6A8I/AAAAAAAABIs/nT0WKpWTvgIqNLfJaLYCqsILCMbKJsjggCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/no-return-no-exchange.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><u><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/alphabetical_list/lawspdfs/82.30.pdf" target="_blank"><b>Sale of Goods Act 1895, as amended: </b></a></u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">*Section 15(1) - Where there is a
contract for the sale of goods by description, there is an implied condition
that the goods shall correspond with the description</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">*Section 16(2) Where the seller
sells goods in the course of a business, there is an implied condition that the
goods supplied under the contract are of merchantable quality, except:</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(a) as regards defects specifically
drawn to the buyer’s attention before the contract is made; or </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(b) if the buyer examines the goods
before the contract is made, as regards defects which that examination ought to
reveal.</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">*Section 20(d)(ii) - A time frame
should be given for returns, but if there is none, the customer has a right to
return within a "reasonable time". </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><u style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/alphabetical_list/lawspdfs/82.37.pdf" target="_blank">Unfair Contract Terms Act 1985:</a></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">*Section 8(1)(a) - a seller cannot
contractually exclude or restrict liability for defective goods, and/or</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(b) negligence of a person concerned
in the manufacture or distribution (e.g., delivery drivers) of the goods </span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-15904420246924046602020-05-24T15:06:00.002-04:002020-05-24T15:06:41.831-04:00Presumption of Innocence<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Q:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">I was charged with a relatively serious
offence; can you help me prove my innocence?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--gTV1VGO7cs/XsrFTkdkaGI/AAAAAAAABIE/vRrgd7r2LHQYX0NB0p0lqA-cU3jNDR2FgCK4BGAsYHg/20tunp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="287" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--gTV1VGO7cs/XsrFTkdkaGI/AAAAAAAABIE/vRrgd7r2LHQYX0NB0p0lqA-cU3jNDR2FgCK4BGAsYHg/20tunp.jpg" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">A:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">If you’ve only been charged with an
offence, it is <b>NOT</b> your job to prove
your innocence. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In early legal times, this rule was expressed
as a </span><b style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">brocard</b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> (a legal principle
written in Latin): </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">ei incumbit probatio
qui dicit, non qui negat</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> — proof lies on him who asserts, not on him who
denies.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now, in a contemporary English legal
system, the ‘presumption of innocence’ or the fact that a defendant is ‘innocent
until proven guilty’ is a legal principle that places the entire burden of
establishing guilt beyond a reasonable doubt on the prosecution/state/government.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">If guilt has seemingly been
established due to circumstantial evidence like “consciousness of guilt” or direct
evidence like CCTV footage, only then will you and your legal team have to dispute
what has been presented and “prove your innocence”.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-89552107994978720482020-05-19T13:18:00.001-04:002020-05-19T13:18:15.004-04:00Adoption of children in Trinidad & Tobago<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-TT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Q:
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">What is the procedure for adopting a
child in Trinidad and Tobago?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yaVQEHpCitw/XsQUVaFXVjI/AAAAAAAABHM/VdVsRAl510MFl8vvzP_f8sBwchirGHcogCK4BGAsYHg/children01_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="415" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yaVQEHpCitw/XsQUVaFXVjI/AAAAAAAABHM/VdVsRAl510MFl8vvzP_f8sBwchirGHcogCK4BGAsYHg/s320/children01_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
<a href="https://ttchildren.org/" target="_blank">Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago</a> is the only organisation that can legally provide adoption services. Adoptions are open to both nationals and
non-nationals</span><span lang="EN-TT" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><font color="#4285f4"> <i>[s. 38]</i></font><font color="#0e101a">; all of which
is governed by the </font></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-TT" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/alphabetical_list/lawspdfs/46.03.pdf" target="_blank">Adoption of Children Act 2000, as amended</a></span></u></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">:</span></i></b><span lang="EN-TT" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">s.
9(1) No person other than the Authority shall make arrangements for the
adoption of a child.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">s.
9 (2) Any other person who attempts to arrange for the adoption of children is
liable on summary conviction to <span style="color: red;">a fine of ten thousand
dollars or to imprisonment for two years</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">There are
two types of adoptions available in T&T; open and closed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Open
adoption</b> is where biological parents are active in the adoption process. Names
and contact information are shared both ways with the potential adoptive
parent, but the level of contact between parties would depend on what the potential
adoptive parent(s) is(are) willing to accommodate. This level of contact
sometimes continues after the adoption is finalised. </span></li><li><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A <b>closed
adoption</b> is where neither the adopter nor the birthparents know each other, nor
do they ever meet. Most times no information is shared and is kept sealed by
the Court.</span></li></ul><p></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #5b9bd5; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">Step #1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If
interested in becoming an adoptive parent, an ‘expression of interest’ should
be submitted to the Children’s Authority’s headquarters located at #35A
Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, via email at </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #4a6ee0; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="mailto:adoption@ttchildren.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4a6ee0;">adoption (at) ttchildren.org</span></a></span></span><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">, or via
telephone 627-0748 or 623-7555.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #5b9bd5; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">Step #2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">After ‘expression
of interest’ is acknowledged, the applicant will be subjected to a screening
process, inclusive of questions pertaining - but not limited- to marital
status, date of birth/age, ethnicity, sex, employment, financial status,
educational background, physical health, mental health, criminal history, etc.
Also explored would be the reason for wanting to become an adoptive parent. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This
information would guide what type of application best suits the applicant’s
situation; whether it’s a single or married couple (the law currently only recognises
heterosexual married couples). A single application can be made by both females
and males, and does not discriminate against single male applicants.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #5b9bd5; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">Step #3<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Once the
preliminary assessment is satisfied, the potential adoptive parent would then
undergo a comprehensive psychosocial assessment which includes home visits and
background checks on all members of the household. This assessment leads to a
comprehensive report prepared to be submitted to the Adoption Committee within
the Authority, who would give the approval for the applicant to be a
Prospective Adoptive Parent (PAP) and placed on the adoption list. Once
approval is granted, the applicant attends mandatory training provided by the
Authority, which covers in-depth information on the adoption process, caring
for children with special needs, caring for children who were abused, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #5b9bd5; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">Step #4<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">After the
training, PAPs are then put through the matching process, which is based on the
PAP's strengths identified in the previous assessments. The PAPs gives a
description of the type of child they require inclusive of age, sex, ethnicity,
skin colour, religious backgrounds, types of behaviours PAPs can deal with,
etc. The PAP's requirements are then matched with the children who have been freed
for adoption by the court </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #5b9bd5; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">[s.15]</span></i><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">. If there is a match, the PAP would then be briefed on the
child’s history.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #5b9bd5; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">Step
#5</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Once both
parties agree, a first interaction experience is done. This is the first time
the PAPs would meet the potential adoptee. The adoption process is an extremely
emotional one so PAPs are reminded that even though they may have seen pictures
of the child, the child has no prior knowledge of the PAPs. The adoptee’s
reaction to the PAPs is very uncertain and may go either way. After this first
encounter, both parties are debriefed, whereby there are discussions on
emotions felt during the session, especially the child’s reaction to the PAP </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #5b9bd5; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">[s. 22]</span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">.</span></i></b><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #5b9bd5; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">Step #6<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Once all
parties are satisfied with the process thus far then the PAPs are granted a
probationary period by the Adoption Committee. This temporary placement (probationary
period) can last up to six (6) months </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #5b9bd5; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">[s. 12(1) and 19(1)]</span></i><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">, but varies depending
on the details of the case. Once the probationary period is successful, an
application is then made to the Court endorsed by the Children’s Authority of
Trinidad and Tobago. The Court has the final decision on all adoptions. Once
the application satisfies the court a final decision is made </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #5b9bd5; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">[s. 18 and 25]</span></i><span lang="EN-TT" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">. After the
adoption is finalised, the Children’s Authority continues to monitor and
evaluate the placement to ensure that the placement continues to meet the needs
of the child and or children.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-TT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br />Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-84799479481938536192020-05-03T09:42:00.000-04:002020-05-03T21:58:20.497-04:00Coronavirus Layoffs or Retrenchment?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Q:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If I cannot afford to pay salaries as
a result of declining revenue because of government restrictions on the
operation of my business due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
pandemic, should I retrench my employees?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWXbBzZqbt8/Xq7HkUMqTyI/AAAAAAAABGc/nimWLW2rhSE2cM_J4MU_GzA9sWNExReFACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Coronavirus%252Bjob%252Bcuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="810" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWXbBzZqbt8/Xq7HkUMqTyI/AAAAAAAABGc/nimWLW2rhSE2cM_J4MU_GzA9sWNExReFACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Coronavirus%252Bjob%252Bcuts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A:</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If you absolutely cannot afford to
continue paying employees, I would not recommend a retrenchment if your
intention is to temporarily suspend operations until restrictions are lifted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I’ll begin with my recommendation of
a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">“temporary layoff”</span></b><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span>and support it with a quote by one of the most respected past
presidents of the Industrial Court - His Honour Mr. Addison Masefield Khan - from
page 5 of a 1991 </span><u style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">TIWU v Consolidated Appliances Limited</u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> judgement</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">:</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“The practice of a temporary lay-off is well
recognised in industrial relations practice. A temporary layoff is a remedy
which may be utilised by an employer to obtain relief where circumstances
beyond his control warrant its implementation. It is a right which an employer
may use only when the circumstances demand it. It must not be abused or be as a
result of a whimsical decision. It must be required by the circumstances, which
must be beyond the control of the employer and not of his own making.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Most importantly for an employer
suffering from significantly reduced revenue, <b><span style="color: blue;">with a “temporary layoff” there
is no legal obligation for an employer to pay employees during the period</span></b>,
however, with retrenchment, severance payments must made to retrenched
employees within a certain period.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In addition to that and a few other reasons, I would <span style="color: red;">not </span>recommend retrenchment mainly because it is
governed by the <u><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/Alphabetical_List/lawspdfs/88.13.pdf" target="_blank">Retrenchment and Severance Benefits Act 1985</a></u>, which
means that there are strict legal obligations that must be followed. For
example:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>Section 4(1)</b> – if five
(5) or more employees are being retrenched, each employee, the Minister of
Labour and the recognised majority union (if there is one) must be given written notice that includes:</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Names
and position</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 54.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Length
of service and current salary</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 54.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Reasons
for redundancy</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Proposed
date of termination</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Criteria
used for selection of workers to be retrenched</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>Section 6</b> - minimum 45
days’ notice (only for 5 or more)… or payment in lieu of the notice period.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>Section 18(3)</b> –
employees must be paid for their years of service.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Employees paid daily,
weekly & fortnightly must be paid two (2) weeks’ wages per year for 1 - 4
years’ service and then three (3) weeks’ wages per year for service of 5 years
and more</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Employees paid monthly
must receive 1/2 month’s salary per year for 1 – 4 years’ service and then
3/4 month’s salary per year for service of 5 years and over</span></li>
</ul>
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<b style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Section 22</b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> - stipulates
that severance payments must be made no later than thirty (30) days after the
last day of the notice period mentioned in section 6.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Section
25(1)(a)</b> - <b><span style="color: red;">A person who contravenes the provisions of this Act is guilty of an
industrial relations offence</span></b> within the meaning of the Industrial Relations Act
and liable—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(a)
in the case of an employer, to <span style="color: red;"><b>a fine of ten thousand dollars</b></span>; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Now that you have all the information, the choice is
yours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>
Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-26728473656431621752020-04-24T08:21:00.001-04:002020-04-24T10:49:59.469-04:00Vehicular Manslaughter (Death by Dangerous Driving)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Q:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recently, <u><a href="http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/10yearold-girl-dies-in-accident-6.2.1100781.dbcce6f511" target="_blank">a 10-year-old girl was hit and killed on the Priority Bus Route by a car allegedly driven by a police officer attached to the Barataria Police Station</a></u>. Because he was apparently
using the PBR illegally, will he be charged for murder?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy4tu_NjgV7mrSilg8YbF9eRQUotBHkvO0SKsuf-IdeXd_N2qdaQ9yyyPGm_IaweuXA2Uk5GDji6QCQ0wbp4g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwuuJjZw_p4/XqLYxRP744I/AAAAAAAABGA/pBa_yTpSytUwQ4ycMTjb7tSomlpdqF5YQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/image-3.2770674.101260.20200419191623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwuuJjZw_p4/XqLYxRP744I/AAAAAAAABGA/pBa_yTpSytUwQ4ycMTjb7tSomlpdqF5YQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/image-3.2770674.101260.20200419191623.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In order for the driver to be charged
with murder, it will have to be proven that he <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">deliberately</span></b><span style="color: red;">
</span>hit and killed this little girl. If that can’t be proven, the more
likely offence will be <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Vehicular Manslaughter</span></b>, which is legally defined
as </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">the crime of causing the death of a human being due to
illegal driving of an automobile.</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In Trinidad & Tobago, the
official archaic charge for this offence is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Causing
Death by Dangerous Driving”</i> according to section 71 of the <u><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/alphabetical_list/lawspdfs/48.50.pdf" target="_blank">Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act 1934, as amended</a></u>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">71. (1) Any person <span style="color: red;">who <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">causes the death
of another person by driving a motor vehicle</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="color: #5b9bd5; mso-themecolor: accent1;">dangerously</span></b><span style="color: #5b9bd5; mso-themecolor: accent1;"> </span>on a road, commits an offence
and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">is liable on
conviction on indictment to imprisonment for fifteen (15) years</span></b>.**<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(2) A person convicted of
an offence under this section shall, without prejudice to the power of the
Court to order a longer period of disqualification, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">be disqualified for a period of fifteen (15) years
from the date of the conviction from holding or obtaining a driving permit</span></b>,
and on a second conviction for a like offence he shall be permanently
disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving permit.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Of course, “dangerously” is the
operative word in the offence, which means that there is no Vehicular
Manslaughter without clear evidence of dangerous driving… so what exactly is “dangerous
driving”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">According to section:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">71-B. (1) For the
purposes of sections 71 and 71A a person is to be regarded as driving
dangerously if—<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(a) the way in which he drives falls below
what would be expected of a competent and careful driver; and<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(b) it would be obvious to a competent and careful
driver that driving in that way would be dangerous.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The definition proffered in this Trinidad
& Tobago legislation is clearly quite broad and very vague, so in order to
further explain, some examples from the well-referenced <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Blackstone's Criminal Practice </b>include:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Speeding <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Driving under the
influence of alcohol or drugs<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Aggressive driving - such
as sudden lane changes, cutting into a line of vehicles or driving too close to
other vehicles <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Disregard of traffic
lights and road signs <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Unsafe overtaking <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Carrying dangerous loads<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Driving with impaired
ability – e.g. foot or hand in a cast<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Driving when tired <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Knowingly driving a
vehicle with a dangerous defect<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Using a hand-held mobile
phone or other hand-held electronic equipment, or other distractions such and
reading a newspaper/ map, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Administratively, it is also important to comply with the requirements for the
limitation time-frames during when charges must be brought against an accused driver:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">73. (1) Subject to subsections
(2) and (3), where a person is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">prosecuted for an offence</span></b> under any of the
preceding sections <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">relating respectively to</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>the
maximum speed at which motor vehicles may be driven, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">dangerous driving or causing death by dangerous
driving</span></b>, and to careless driving, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">he shall not be convicted UNLESS</span></b> either—<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(a) he was warned on the day the offence was committed
that the question of prosecuting him for an offence under some one or other of
the sections aforesaid would be taken into consideration; or<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(b) within fourteen days of the commission of
the offence a summons for the offence was served on him; or<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(c) within the said fourteen days a notice of
the intended prosecution specifying the nature of the alleged offence and the
time and place where it is alleged to have been committed was served on or sent
by registered post to him or to the person registered as the owner of the
vehicle at the time of the commission of the offence.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">**</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Although
the prescribed penalty is a maximum sentence of fifteen (15) years imprisonment,
conviction of this offence is unlikely to result in the max sentence. Here are
some examples of persons convicted of this offence in recent times:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> <a href="http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/autistic-man-gets-2-years-jail-for-dangerous-driving-death-6.2.1029443.f70df04bcc" target="_blank">
</a></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/autistic-man-gets-2-years-jail-for-dangerous-driving-death-6.2.1029443.f70df04bcc" target="_blank">Saddiq Ali was sentenced in January 2020 to 1 year and 11 months imprisonment</a><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/reckless-driver-jailed-to-pay-50000-to-victims-family-6.2.821088.ea16a57887" target="_blank">Jason Samaroo was sentenced in April 2019 to 11 months and two weeks imprisonment</a><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.guardian.co.tt/article-6.2.359472.3bde68340b" target="_blank">Jairon Phillips was sentenced in Tobago in October 2016 to 18 months imprisonment</a><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<br /></div>
Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-49378388226116055382020-04-16T12:37:00.001-04:002020-04-16T12:37:35.190-04:00Citizen Rights during Police Roadblocks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Q:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">What are my rights with regards to
being stopped and questioned by police officers at roadblocks during the
COVID-19 lockdown in Trinidad & Tobago?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yy7Yuw6Ug_4/XpiIQTNppfI/AAAAAAAABFM/DQ1ilhaJSj407EeiWuCiNU0Q8npW1-u8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/image-3.2769961.100710.20200413194100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="512" height="261" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yy7Yuw6Ug_4/XpiIQTNppfI/AAAAAAAABFM/DQ1ilhaJSj407EeiWuCiNU0Q8npW1-u8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/image-3.2769961.100710.20200413194100.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Comply with all reasonable instructions
because, <u><a href="http://trinidadandtobagolegalrights.blogspot.com/2020/04/coronavirus-stay-at-home-law.html" target="_blank">as previously mentioned</a></u>, the police have been empowered to enforce all
of the special provisions associated with the current state of restricted
movement and assembly during the novel coronavirus pandemic. <a href="http://trinidadandtobagolegalrights.blogspot.com/2014/09/trinidad-and-tobago-police-search-powers.html" target="_blank">However, please take note of the law on police vehicle searches without a warrant.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Additionally, if at any time you are
stopped whilst operating a motor vehicle in Trinidad & Tobago, at the very
minimum, you must be able to provide both a valid driving permit/license, as
well as an up-to-date insurance policy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">According to the <a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/alphabetical_list/lawspdfs/48.50.pdf" target="_blank">Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act 1934, as amended:</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">56. (1) A person who
drives or is in charge of a motor vehicle on any road or a learner who is in a motor
vehicle on any road receiving instruction <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">shall have on his person or in the motor vehicle for
production as required by subsection (2) his driving permit or provisional
permit as the case may be.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 2.0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(2) A Transport Officer
in uniform or a police officer in uniform may require any person referred to in
subsection (1) to produce his driving permit or provisional permit for
examination, in order to ascertain the name and address of the holder of the
permit, the date of issue and the Transport Officer by whom it was issued.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 2.0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 2.0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(3) A person who fails to
comply with the requirements of this section is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">liable on conviction to a fine of five hundred
dollars.</span></b></span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Notwithstanding the above, if your driving permit/license has
recently expired, <u><a href="http://trinidadandtobagolegalrights.blogspot.com/2020/04/expired-driving-permits-during.html" target="_blank">you may still be able to drive if you fall within the category mentioned in this recent Trinidad & Tobago Legal Rights blog post</a></u>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The law on having valid vehicle insurance
is as follows, according to the <u><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/alphabetical_list/lawspdfs/48.51.pdf" target="_blank">Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third-Party Risks)Act 1933, as amended</a>:<o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">3. (1) Subject to this
Act, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">it shall
not be lawful for any person to use, or to cause or permit any other person to use,
a motor vehicle</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>or licensed trailer <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">on a public road
unless</span></b><span style="color: red;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">there
is</b> </span>in force in relation to the user of the motor vehicle or licensed
trailer by that person or that other person, as the case may be, such <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">a policy of
insurance</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>or such a security in
respect of third-party risks as complies with the requirements of this Act.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(2) If a person acts in
contravention of this section, he is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">liable to a fine of seven thousand, five hundred dollars
($7,500) <u>and</u> to imprisonment for two years</span></b>, and a person
convicted of an offence under this section shall (unless the Court for special
reasons thinks fit to order otherwise and without prejudice to the power of the
Court to order a longer period of disqualification) be disqualified for holding
or obtaining a driving permit under the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act for
a period of three years from the date of the conviction.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br /></div>
Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-50757723902455980832020-04-14T21:15:00.000-04:002020-04-14T21:15:16.138-04:00Voluntary Relinquishment of Parental Rights<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">Q:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">Is
it possible to remove a father's name from a birth certificate due to him not
wanting to be involved?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKso39xCN4I/XpZdxk-d4XI/AAAAAAAABEw/eakf99ZEdnACXzkaRwRv6dXI29uBLtQLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="229" height="191" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKso39xCN4I/XpZdxk-d4XI/AAAAAAAABEw/eakf99ZEdnACXzkaRwRv6dXI29uBLtQLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/images.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"> </span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">A:</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">It is not legally possible for either parent to voluntarily relinquish their parental rights & responsibilities towards a child (with the exception of adoption).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">According
to section 4 of the </span><u style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/Alphabetical_List/lawspdfs/46.08.pdf" target="_blank">Family Law (Guardianship of Minors, Domicile and Maintenance) 1981, as amended</a></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">:</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">4. (1<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">) In relation to the custody
or upbringing of a minor</b>, and in relation to the administration of any
property belonging to or held in trust for a minor or the application of income
of any such property,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> a mother shall
have the same rights and authority as the law allows to a father, and the
rights and authority of mother and father shall be equal and be exercisable by
either without the other.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">(2) </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">An agreement
for a man or woman to give up in whole or in part, in relation to any child of
his or hers, the rights and authority referred to in subsection (1) shall be
unenforceable</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-54090630007031473272020-04-13T08:23:00.000-04:002020-04-13T08:23:52.584-04:00Expired Driving Permits during Coronavirus Lockdown<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">Q:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">I’d
like to know what the law is on driving with an expired permit/license… because
I need to drive during this COVID-19 pandemic, but I cannot renew due to the
Licensing Authority being closed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i9irhpGCI8I/XpRZHwomCmI/AAAAAAAABEQ/SIWaWEN_l6UWdJUEC5UQ-VIi4ugWuoGjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/p84_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="639" height="282" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i9irhpGCI8I/XpRZHwomCmI/AAAAAAAABEQ/SIWaWEN_l6UWdJUEC5UQ-VIi4ugWuoGjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/p84_1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">A:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">According
to the <u><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/alphabetical_list/lawspdfs/48.50.pdf" target="_blank">Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic 1934, as amended</a></u>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">42. (1) Save as in this section provided, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">no person shall drive a motor vehicle on a road unless he is the holder
of a valid driving permit for a motor vehicle of that class</b>, and no person
shall employ any person to drive a motor vehicle on a road unless the person so
employed is the holder of a valid driving permit for a motor vehicle of that
class, and </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">if any person
acts in contravention of this provision, he shall be liable to a fine of seven
hundred and fifty dollars ($750) or imprisonment for six (6) months</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">...<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">However,
on 20<sup>th</sup> March 2020, the government passed the <u><a href="http://www.ttparliament.org/legislations/a2020-04.pdf" target="_blank">Miscellaneous Provisions [2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)] Act 2020</a></u> to amend certain
pieces of legislation to introduce special provisions during the novel coronavirus
lockdown in Trinidad and Tobago; one such amendment being to the <u><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/alphabetical_list/lawspdfs/48.50.pdf" target="_blank">Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic 1934, as amended</a></u> on the validity of expired
driving permits (in law, this is referred to as a moratorium):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">61B. (1) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this
Act, any <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">driving permit</b>, taxi driver
licence, badge, certificate <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">or other
document issued by the Licensing Authority</b> which expired prior to or during
the period 27th March, 2020 to 31st July, 2020 shall be deemed to be </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">valid until 31st August, 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-33171374602622794392020-04-09T13:50:00.000-04:002020-04-09T13:56:26.762-04:00Offences Against the Person: Manslaughter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Q:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A police officer ‘bredrin’ recently posted this video in
a WhatsApp group chat asking for an opinion on criminal liability by stating
that the older man was kicked, fell, hit his head, and later succumbed to
the injury… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwJB_icD1moVJvUA-Jrcaiw0YiBTJz2-u046lcfDp2II6fztE565XJVOSkhCeMduh-reqPGwE3AmZZ9K8aZ7g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Homicide is the act of one human killing another, which
then results in a criminal charge for murder, or with certain defences, a
reduced charge of manslaughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The facts here do not meet the threshold for murder, so
look out for a more detailed post on murder at some point. In the meantime, this
post is about manslaughter, which is the killing of a human being without
malice aforethought or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mens rea</i> (Latin
for ‘guilty mind’).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">There are complete defences to murder like self-defence
whereby a person will be fully exonerated; however, a partial defence will only
reduce a charge for murder to either <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Voluntary
Manslaughter</b> or <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Involuntary
Manslaughter</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In this case, the strongest argument can be made for Voluntary
Manslaughter, which occurs when a person kills another in the heat of the
moment without the intention to kill. This usually is due to an incident that
is precipitated by the defendant’s loss of self-control / provocation, which is
for the jury to decide at trial… according to the <u><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/Alphabetical_List/lawspdfs/11.08.pdf" target="_blank">Offences Against the Person Act 1925, as amended</a></u>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">4B. Where on a charge of murder there is evidence on
which the jury can find that the person charged was provoked (whether by things
done or by things said or by both together) to lose his self-control, the
question whether the provocation was enough to make a reasonable man do as he
did shall be left to be determined by the jury; and in determining that
question the jury shall take into account everything both done and said
according to the effect which, in their opinion, it would have on a reasonable
man.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The widely accepted definition of loss of self-control
/ provocation comes from Devlin J in the case of <u>R v Duffy [1949]</u>, where
a woman killed her sleeping husband with an axe after she was prevented from
leaving the house with her child to escape years of alleged abuse:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">"…the provocation must cause a </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">sudden and temporary</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">loss of self-control, rendering the accused so subject
to passion as to make him or her for the moment not master of his mind.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Now, once successfully reduced, the penalty for manslaughter
in Trinidad and Tobago ranges from life imprisonment to a fine:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">6. Any person who is convicted of manslaughter is
liable to imprisonment for life or for any term of years, or to pay such fine as
the Court shall award.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In the end, “winning” a fight can potentially land a
person in prison for life, so it’s probably best to walk away from such situations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>
Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-1488869343962150842020-04-04T18:08:00.001-04:002020-04-04T18:08:14.870-04:00Street-obstructing protests<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">Q:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">After reading <u><a href="https://trinidadexpress.com/newsextra/gary-investigates-covid-protest-in-sangre-grande/article_05cdb8da-76b4-11ea-b31e-7fdbc565191a.html" target="_blank">this Trinidad Express news article</a></u>, can you tell me what law (if any) these protesters would have broken? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XqJZgnqwR70/XokE0f-xVlI/AAAAAAAABCc/b6Eum4uTSAoh5_x57vrl_mQP_cQQIkdPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BKRhTQNigj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XqJZgnqwR70/XokE0f-xVlI/AAAAAAAABCc/b6Eum4uTSAoh5_x57vrl_mQP_cQQIkdPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/BKRhTQNigj.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">A:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">Laws
were broken from the very first paragraph of the article, which reads:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">“Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith, has launched an investigation
into a report that about 15 persons<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">blocked Bridge Road, Sangre Grande, with burning debris </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">last night in protest of the reported removal of COVID-19 patients from
the Couva Hospital to a building in their area.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">According
to the <u><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/Alphabetical_List/lawspdfs/11.02.pdf" target="_blank">Summary Offences Act 1921, as amended</a></u>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">64. (1) Any person who commits any of the following offences in any
street is, for each offence,</span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> liable to a
fine of two hundred dollars or to imprisonment for one month</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">, that is to say, any person who:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">(j) throws or lays down any stone, timber, or
any other materials<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">(n) in any way wilfully obstructs the free
passage of any street<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br /></div>
Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-46691508347547065922020-04-02T15:13:00.001-04:002020-04-04T15:11:06.665-04:00Coronavirus Stay At Home Law<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Q:</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Does
the government have the power to order citizens to stay home in the absence of
a State of Emergency?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9MIxNP3ixs/XoY4UEsHoDI/AAAAAAAABBc/s9siAk8Qf5gBPB2aYrnvrlq9-a3JJ4TbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/stayhome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="660" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9MIxNP3ixs/XoY4UEsHoDI/AAAAAAAABBc/s9siAk8Qf5gBPB2aYrnvrlq9-a3JJ4TbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/stayhome.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">During
the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister of Health allegedly has the power to, and
has been making various <a href="http://news.gov.tt/sites/default/files/E-Gazette/Gazette%202020/Legal%20Notices/" target="_blank">Public Health [2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-Ncov)] Regulations</a> under the Public Health Ordinance </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: red;">(however, for the latter, I have not been
able to find the most recent online version inclusive of all amendments… but I
will update this blog post when I do).</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
first part of this process was <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/aimk88c7f8euoho/LN2020-34.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">this proclamation</a> by the President of the
Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, Her Excellency Paula Mae-Weekes, on 31st
January 2020 to declare the 2019 Novel Coronavirus to be a dangerous infectious
disease.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">When
that was done, not only did it lay the groundwork for the possibility of a
State of Emergency to be declared at any point during the pandemic, in
accordance with section 8 of the <u><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/Constitution.pdf" target="_blank">Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago</a></u>, but it also put the <u><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/Alphabetical_List/lawspdfs/28.05.pdf" target="_blank">Quarantine Act 1944, as amended</a></u> into
play:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">4. (1) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The
Minister may</b>, </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(strangely, this Act does
not specify which Minister, although one can surmise that it means the Minister
responsible for health) </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">subject to affirmative resolution of Parliament, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">make Regulations</b>, as respects the whole or any part of Trinidad and
Tobago, including the ports and coastal waters thereof, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">for preventing—<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(a) danger to public health from ships or aircraft or persons or things
therein, arriving at any place</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">; and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(b) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the
</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">spread of infection </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">by means of any ship or aircraft about to
leave any place, or by means of any person or thing about to leave any place in
any ship or aircraft</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(2)
Without prejudice to the generality of the powers conferred by subsection (1),
regulations under that subsection may, for the purposes therein set forth, make
provision for all or any of the following matters:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(a)
the collection and transmission of epidemiological and sanitary information;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(b)
the signals to be displayed by ships or aircraft;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(c)
the questions to be answered and information (whether oral or documentary) to
be supplied by masters, commanders and other persons who are or have been on
board any ship or aircraft or are desirous of boarding any ship or aircraft;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(d) the detention of ships or aircraft and of persons and things that
are or have been on board them;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">6. (1) When in the opinion of the Quarantine
Authority an emergency exists, the Quarantine Authority may by Order direct special
measures to be taken during the continuance of that emergency for any of the
purposes specified in sections 4 and 5, and any such Order shall have effect
notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any regulations or rules in force
by virtue of those sections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(2) An
Order made under subsection (1) may be varied or rescinded by Order of the
Minister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The offences
and penalties under this Act are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">7. (1) Any person who—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(a)
refuses to answer or knowingly gives an untrue answer to any inquiry made under
the authority of this Act, or intentionally withholds any information
reasonably required of him by an officer or other person acting under the
authority of this Act, or knowingly furnishes to any such officer or other
person any information which is false;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(b)
refuses or wilfully omits to do any act which he is required to do by this Act,
or refuses or wilfully omits to carry out any lawful order, instruction or
condition made, given or imposed by any officer or other person acting under
the authority of this Act; or<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(c)
assaults, resists, wilfully obstructs or intimidates any officer or other
person acting under the authority of this Act, or offers or gives a bribe to any
officer or person in connection with his powers or duties under this Act, or
being such officer or person, demands, solicits or takes a bribe in connection
with his powers or duties under this Act, or otherwise obstructs the execution
of this Act,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: red;">is liable on conviction to a fine of six thousand dollars and to imprisonment
for six months.</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #ed7d31; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">N.B.: <a href="https://www.looptt.com/content/6000-fine-jail-time-lying-about-sickness-resisting-quarantine" target="_blank">There has been at least one conviction to date</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Which
are to be enforced by members of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">10. (1) Every member of the Police Service
shall enforce (using force if necessary) compliance with this act and with any order,
instruction or condition lawfully made, given or imposed by any officer or
other person under the authority of this Act; and for such purpose any member
of the Police Service may board any ship or aircraft and may enter any premises
without a warrant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(2)
Any member of the Police Service may arrest without a warrant any person whom
he has reasonable cause to believe to have committed any offence against this
Act.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(3) In
this section the expression “member of the Police Service” includes a member of
any police organisation constituted by law who has the general powers of a
member of the Police Service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-56857220319230667392020-03-30T14:21:00.000-04:002020-04-01T14:36:30.205-04:00Doctor-Patient Confidentiality<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Q:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I keep seeing private information about
COVID-19 patients circulating on social media… is there a law to stop this from
happening?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Txv9StJDl8w/XoTaTWiNefI/AAAAAAAABBA/eSmETRvGIlwlEnXmuNuX-zGsdcbrKUVOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/privacy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Txv9StJDl8w/XoTaTWiNefI/AAAAAAAABBA/eSmETRvGIlwlEnXmuNuX-zGsdcbrKUVOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/privacy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Interestingly, I have been thinking
about this topic since the <a href="https://www.cnc3.co.tt/kamla-announces-first-covid-19-death-at-couva-hospital/" target="_blank">Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, released information on the first COVID-19 related death in Trinidad & Tobago</a> a
couple weeks ago… and then again when apparently that same person’s medical
history was later circulated on social media.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">It was clear that the medical
information I’m referring to (and I assume you are as well) could have only originated
from the person’s confidential medical record, and thus shared by a medical
professional. And if that medical professional was a doctor, they would have acted
in breach of the <u><a href="http://mbtt.org/CodeOfEthics_Physician_Code_of_Conduct.htm" target="_blank">Medical Board of Trinidad and Tobago Code of Ethics in the Practice of Medicine</a></u>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In addition to that specific breach
for a doctor, and for any other medical professional who could have released
the information, for privacy laws in Trinidad and Tobago, we have the <u><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/Alphabetical_List/lawspdfs/22.04.pdf" target="_blank">Data Protection Act 2011</a></u>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">4. The object of this Act
is to ensure that protection is afforded to an individual’s right to privacy
and the right to maintain <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">sensitive personal information </span></b>as private and
personal.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Section 2 defines the term <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“sensitive personal information”</b> to
mean information on a person’s– <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(a) racial or ethnic
origins; <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(b) political
affiliations or trade union membership; <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(c) religious beliefs or
other beliefs of a similar nature; <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(d) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">physical or mental health or condition; <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(e) sexual orientation or
sexual life; or <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(f) criminal or financial
record;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">For a breach of patient
confidentiality by doctor employed at a public institution, a person may be
able to place that liability on the hospital/regional health authority:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">40. (1) A public body
shall not process sensitive personal information unless it obtains the consent
of the person to whom that sensitive personal information relates.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">But if there’s a breach of the
doctor-patient confidentiality in the doctor’s private capacity, the following
sections should apply:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">69. A person who—<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(a) collects, retains, manages, uses,
processes or stores personal information in Trinidad and Tobago;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(b) collects personal information from
individuals in Trinidad and Tobago; or<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(c) uses an intermediary or telecommunications
service provider located in Trinidad and Tobago to provide a service in
furtherance of paragraph (a) or (b), <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">shall follow the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">General Privacy Principles set out in
section 6</b> in dealing with personal information.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Those General Privacy Principles are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">6. The following
principles are the General Privacy Principles which are applicable to all
persons who handle, store or process personal information belonging to another
person: <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(c) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">knowledge and consent of the individual are required for the
collection, use or disclosure of personal information;</b> <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(e) personal information
shall only be retained for as long as is necessary for the purpose collected
and<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> shall not be disclosed for purposes
other than the purpose of collection without the prior consent of the
individual; </b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(g) personal information
is to be protected by such appropriate safeguards having regard to the
sensitivity of the information; <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(h) sensitive personal
information is protected from processing except where otherwise provided for by
written law; <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">With all that being said, these are
the penalties for breaching the provisions of the Act:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">95. (1) A person who
commits an offence under this Act is liable upon— <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(a) summary conviction,
to a fine of not more than fifty thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term
of three years; and <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(b) conviction on
indictment, to a fine of not more than one hundred thousand dollars or to
imprisonment for a term of not more than five years.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-22190040268023320632020-03-28T07:47:00.000-04:002020-03-28T19:28:24.438-04:00Criminal Offences for Infecting others with COVID-19<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Q:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Can persons
like <i><a href="https://www.ianalleyne.org/" target="_blank">Crime Watch</a></i> host, <a href="https://newsday.co.tt/2020/03/26/sick-ian-alleyne-says-show-on-hold/" target="_blank">Ian Alleyne</a> and the <a href="http://www.looptt.com/content/gary-orders-closure-arouca-police-station-sanitisation" target="_blank">police officer from the Arouca Police Station</a> be arrested for potentially putting so many people’s lives at
risk by not abiding by the government’s mandatory self-quarantine directive?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRYhKKDmnrQ/Xn84eQZWzjI/AAAAAAAAA_w/9iK-oZ8mNbA9W5P5i-m9i8QjVlYXy8KvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/stay%2Bhome%2Bcoronavirus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRYhKKDmnrQ/Xn84eQZWzjI/AAAAAAAAA_w/9iK-oZ8mNbA9W5P5i-m9i8QjVlYXy8KvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/stay%2Bhome%2Bcoronavirus.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This
is a VERY interesting question!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">There
are possibly two offences under which both individuals and others like them can
be charged and prosecuted:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #ed7d31; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">GRIEVOUS BODILY HARM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">According
to section 12 of the <u><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/Alphabetical_List/lawspdfs/11.08.pdf" target="_blank">Offences against the Person Act 1925, as amended</a></u>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">12. Any person who unlawfully and maliciously by any means whatsoever
wounds or causes any </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">grievous bodily
harm</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">to any person… is liable to imprisonment for
fifteen years.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Grievous Bodily Harm</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> (GBH), in simple terms, is defined as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“really serious harm”.</i> Therefore, considering
the permanent (if not fatal) damage being done by the novel coronavirus, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">reckless</i></b>
or <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">intentional</i></b>
transmission of the virus to another person can be classified as really serious
harm. A similar interpretation was used in the case of<a href="http://www.e-lawresources.co.uk/R-v-Dica.php" target="_blank"> R v Dica [2004]</a>at the England & Wales Court of Appeal: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The person bringing the appeal against his initial conviction (the
Appellant), Mr. Mohammed Dica, was HIV-positive. He engaged in unprotected
sexual intercourse with two women, both of whom later tested positive for HIV. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">It was not clear whether the women (the Complainants) were aware of the
Appellant’s HIV status at the time of the encounters; however, the prosecution
did not argue that the Appellant intended to transmit HIV to the Complainants,
instead, they argued that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">he was “reckless”
as to whether they might contract the disease</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The trial court withdrew from the jury the issue of whether the Complainants
knew the Appellant was HIV-positive and thus consented to the risk of
transmission of the disease, and subsequently held that whether or not the
Complainants knew the Appellant was HIV-positive was irrelevant because they
did not have “the legal capacity to consent to such serious harm.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The Appellant was convicted of two counts of causing grievous bodily
harm and sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Whilst
there is a possibility that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Crime Watch</i>
host, Ian Alleyne and the police officer from the Arouca Police Station can be
charged with GBH, only a good legal test in court will determine if GBH can apply
to non-sexually transmitted infectious diseases like COVID-19.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="color: #ed7d31; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">TERRORISM</b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
second possible charge comes under the<a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/Alphabetical_List/lawspdfs/12.07.pdf" target="_blank"> <u>Anti-Terrorism Act 2005, as amended</u></a>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">terrorist</b>” includes a
person who— <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(a) commits a </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">terrorist act</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">by any means directly or <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">indirectly</b>,
unlawfully and wilfully; <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">A “</span></i><b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">terrorist act</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">” means—</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(a) an act whether committed in or outside of Trinidad and Tobago which
causes or is likely to cause—<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(i) </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">loss of human
life or serious bodily harm</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(ii) …<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(iii) </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">prejudice to
national security or disruption of public safety</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">including disruption in the provision of emergency services or to any
computer or electronic system or to the provision of services directly related
to banking, communications, infrastructure, financial services, public utilities,
transportation or other essential infrastructure, and is intended to—<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(iv) …<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(v) …<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Furthermore,
if intention can be proven (which is unlikely):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">22. (1) A person who, unlawfully and intentionally uses, threatens or
attempts or conspires to use chemical, </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">biological</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">or nuclear </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">weapons</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">— <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(a) against a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago or a person ordinarily
resident in Trinidad and Tobago while either such person is outside Trinidad
and Tobago; <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(b) against any person within Trinidad and Tobago; or <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(c) against any property that is owned, leased or used by the Government
of Trinidad and Tobago, whether the property is within or outside of Trinidad
and Tobago, commits an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment to
imprisonment for life.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/biological-weapons#tab=tab_1" target="_blank">According to the World Health Organisation, </a></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><i style="color: red; font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/biological-weapons#tab=tab_1" target="_blank">Biological weapons</a> </i>a</span></span><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">re microorganisms like </span></i><b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">virus</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">, bacteria, fungi, or other toxins that are
produced and released deliberately to cause disease and death in humans,
animals or plants. </span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Bioterrorism attacks could also result in an
epidemic, for example if Ebola or Lassa viruses were used as the biological
agents. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">terrorism</i> charge is less likely
considering the fact that the ‘intentional’ factor does not seem to exist in
either case, but, similar to the <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-justice-department-anti-terrorism-laws/" target="_blank">United States, it may be considered in extremecases where intention is palpable.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-21855609202249701472020-03-26T16:04:00.000-04:002020-03-27T10:08:32.990-04:00Employment Termination during Pandemic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Q:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">What are my legal contractual obligations
towards my employees who are unable to work due to the novel coronavirus
pandemic that has caused the government to shut down many businesses, including
mine? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xfo8gbq5DTo/Xn0Jv7BcPOI/AAAAAAAAA_U/RwXyD0Ma4jUCqnr1aSf5TiNGmWD8NCjIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Closed%2BDue%2BTo%2BCoronavirus%2B-%2BMedium%2B-%2BiStock-12109272861584996238-53269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="1600" height="276" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xfo8gbq5DTo/Xn0Jv7BcPOI/AAAAAAAAA_U/RwXyD0Ma4jUCqnr1aSf5TiNGmWD8NCjIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Closed%2BDue%2BTo%2BCoronavirus%2B-%2BMedium%2B-%2BiStock-12109272861584996238-53269.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">There
are actually two possibilities:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: orange;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Force majeure</span></i></b></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> (French for "superior force") – In
order for this to apply, it <u>must</u> be included as a clause within a
written contract of employment between parties. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Essentially, force majeure is a contract
provision or clause that allows the affected party to suspend or terminate its
obligations under the agreement when certain circumstances beyond their control
arise, which, in turn, makes performance:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-text-indent-alt: -18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -72.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>i.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">inadvisable</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> – the legal definition for this term is the same
as it is in the dictionary, which basically means that it is imprudent or
lacking good sense or judgement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-text-indent-alt: -18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -72.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>ii.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">commercially impracticable</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> - this legal doctrine is triggered when
something happens that makes performance of a contractual duty excessively
burdensome, unbearably difficult, or extremely expensive, for the party
committed to such performance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-text-indent-alt: -18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -72.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>iii.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">illegal</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> – this occurs when continued performance will be
an illegal act; an example would be operating a bar or casino despite the
government passing a law to shut such businesses during the CoViD-19 pandemic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-text-indent-alt: -18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -72.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>iv.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">impossible</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> – this occurs when a party is not able to physically
perform its contractual obligations. For example, many flight attendants would
be unable to fulfil their contractual obligations due to the fact that several countries
have closed their borders, thus halting international air travel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A typical list of force majeure events might
include war, riots, fire, flood, hurricane, typhoon, earthquake, strikes,
lockouts, slowdowns, pandemics and acts of state or governmental action
prohibiting or impeding any party from performing its respective obligations
under the contract.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: orange;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Frustration of contract</span></b></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> – Under this common law doctrine, a contract can
be voided when a party to the contract is incapable of performing its
obligations due to an unforeseen event, which is no fault of theirs. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I anticipate
that most employers will find favour with terminating contracts due to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">frustration</b>; however, the option of
temporary layoffs for the duration of the novel coronavirus pandemic is also a
viable option in order to possibly save jobs for when we are all able to return
to our regularly scheduled programming. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-54127020103247798442020-03-22T15:04:00.001-04:002020-04-04T15:57:42.434-04:00Coronavirus Church Closures<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Q:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Although many
pastors/preachers/priests are encouraging churchgoers to attend services
despite worldwide advice for social distancing during the novel coronavirus
pandemic, is it legal for the government to order churches to close?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MSl20aJSUbc/XnrzIl8LKoI/AAAAAAAAA-4/NI1Cma3Qu8kTAXzF3ONIFOSijbQGsn-8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/quote-the-constitutional-freedom-of-religion-is-the-most-inalienable-and-sacred-of-all-human-thomas-jefferson-66-50-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="850" height="187" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MSl20aJSUbc/XnrzIl8LKoI/AAAAAAAAA-4/NI1Cma3Qu8kTAXzF3ONIFOSijbQGsn-8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/quote-the-constitutional-freedom-of-religion-is-the-most-inalienable-and-sacred-of-all-human-thomas-jefferson-66-50-17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In reality, there is no ban on church services,
or other religious gatherings; instead the <u><a href="http://news.gov.tt/sites/default/files/E-Gazette/Gazette%202020/Legal%20Notices/Legal%20Notice%20No.%2057%20of%202020.pdf" target="_blank">Public Health [2019 Novel Coronavirus(2019-nCoV)] (No. 3) Regulations, 2020</a></u> limits the number of people who can
congregate to ten (10).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Nevertheless, the Trinidad and Tobago
government may be able to legally ban all religious gatherings in accordance
with section 4(h) of <u><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/Constitution.pdf" target="_blank">The Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago</a></u>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">4. It is hereby
recognised and declared that in Trinidad and Tobago there have existed and
shall continue to exist, <b><span style="color: red;">without discrimination</span></b> by
reason of race, origin, colour, religion or sex, the following fundamental
human rights and freedoms, namely:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(h) “freedom of
conscience and religious belief and observance”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Generally speaking, this means that citizens of Trinidad
and Tobago have the inalienable and non-derogable right to engage in any religion, or as many
religions of their choosing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">However, technically, and in very
simple terms, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“without discrimination”</i>
empowers the government to abrogate those rights and freedoms as long as it is necessary
and done to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">everyone</b> for the greater good without infringing
upon the rights of any specific religion or religious group more than others. <b>In reality though, this is more of a restriction on movement, not religion because religious services can still be legally conducted with the use of technology.</b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Looking at a similar point of view from America where constitutional
rights are fervidly defended, in <u><a href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=10098593029363815472&q=employment+division+v+smith&hl=en&as_sdt=6,33" target="_blank">Employment Division v Smith (1990)</a></u>, even
the late Justice Antonin Scalia, who sat on the Supreme Court of the United
States for 30 years, stated: <i>“We have
never held that an individual's religious beliefs excuse him from compliance
with an otherwise valid law prohibiting conduct that the State is free to
regulate.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">In other words, one cannot breach valid and proportionate laws because of a
belief that there is some sort of constitutional infringement on one's religious freedoms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">So to answer you directly: if the decision is eventually made, it will be legal for the government of Trinidad & Tobago to order a complete ban on religious gatherings at this time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-69604774251750207442020-03-20T15:21:00.000-04:002020-04-25T08:18:53.030-04:00Trinidad & Tobago Loitering Laws<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Q:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">According
to this <a href="https://www.looptt.com/content/griffith-loitering-laws-be-heavily-enforced-amid-covid-19-pandemic" target="_blank">Loop News article</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Police Commissioner Gary Griffith is
advising citizens that cops will ramp up the enforcement of the country's
loitering laws over the coming weeks in an attempt to keep people from
assembling in large numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic… in accordance with
<u><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/Alphabetical_List/lawspdfs/11.02.pdf" target="_blank">section 45(c) of the Summary Offences Act 1921, as amended</a></u>”:<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Can
this be done?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1hcmdVQcmC8/XnZoILTBJ1I/AAAAAAAAA-c/vfyIPA2Ce2IjvyKMvI5o5fB35xzCGuVoACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/loitering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="217" data-original-width="512" height="168" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1hcmdVQcmC8/XnZoILTBJ1I/AAAAAAAAA-c/vfyIPA2Ce2IjvyKMvI5o5fB35xzCGuVoACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/loitering.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Let’s
begin with what that section of the <a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/Alphabetical_List/lawspdfs/11.02.pdf" target="_blank">Act </a>says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">45. A person committing any of the offences
mentioned below in this section may be deemed an idle and disorderly person,
and shall be liable to a fine of two hundred dollars, or to imprisonment for
one month—<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(c) any person found sleeping or <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">loitering</b> in or under any building,
including any open outhouse, verandah, gallery, passage, or gateway, or in any vehicle
or vessel, without leave of the owner, occupier or person in charge thereof, or
on or under any wharf, quay, jetty, bridge, footway, or in any street or other
public place, and not giving a good account of himself;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">As a
result, according to section 46(1)(e) of the <u><a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/alphabetical_list/lawspdfs/15.01.pdf" target="_blank">Police Service Act 2006, as amended</a></u>: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">46. (1) A police officer may arrest without a
warrant—<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(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;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Now,
in order to understand what specific offence is being committed, the definition of ‘loitering’
is important… but guess what, the term is not defined under any of
the legislation that make it illegal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Sidebar</span></u></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">: in keeping with the rule of law, criminal
offences must be reasonably clear and definite so as to avoid arbitrary and
discriminatory treatment from the police. In America, such laws fall under the 'void-for
vagueness doctrine' which was established since 1926 in <u>Connally v General
Construction Company</u> and basically means that a law can be held to be void
if it is insufficiently defined or not defined at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">But I
digress… without a legislative definition, one can probably check the
dictionary to see that <a href="https://www.dictionary.com/browse/loitering?s=t" target="_blank">‘loitering’</a> means to “linger aimlessly”, which of course
leaves us to decipher what ‘linger’ and ‘aimlessly’ really mean: <a href="https://www.dictionary.com/browse/linger?s=t" target="_blank">‘linger’</a> means
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“to remain or stay on in a place
longer than is usual or expected”</i> and <a href="https://www.dictionary.com/browse/aimlessly?s=t" target="_blank">‘aimlessly’</a> means <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“without purpose”.</i> In toto, loitering can
be defined as “remaining or staying on in a place longer than is usual or
expected without a purpose.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">So,
now that we have a definition of the term ‘loitering’, what can legally be
classified as loitering under normal circumstances (not during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown)? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">People outside a bar drinking? Definitely not!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">People ‘liming’ by Caura River? Definitely
not!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">People relaxing with their families on any of
the country’s beaches? Definitely not!</span></li>
</ul>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">At the end of the day, the law is silly and useless because whatever a person does, it will always be for a purpose... even if that purpose is killing time or hanging out, which is what </span></o:p></span><a href="http://webopac.ttlawcourts.org/LibraryJud/Judgments/HC/gobin/2008/CV_08_03079DD18feb2010.pdf" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;" target="_blank">this High Court judgment attempted to explain</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">. The only way loitering can therefore be in the least enforceable, is if the term is eventually defined to say "without </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">lawful </i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">purpose", such as with the case of prostitution. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>In reality, Gary Griffith’s threat of
arrest for loitering in the proposed circumstances during this COVID-19
pandemic has no legal validity whatsoever. The Commissioner of Police – and by
extension his officers – are intending to exercise executive action through
some sort of illegal state of emergency power that will ultimately result in
post-coronavirus lawsuits left, right and centre</b>... </span></div>
</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Will
we ever learn…?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>
Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-3970043205377755862020-03-16T08:45:00.000-04:002020-03-21T10:05:19.940-04:00Pandemic Leave in Trinidad & Tobago<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Q:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Do I
have to pay my employees whilst they are on ‘Pandemic Leave’?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w9N0GMV7CLw/XnYWk5uE3XI/AAAAAAAAA-A/XPVsdgVoEpU-K7vWxacKEMU2TF7qSjPdACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/CDC%2BCoronavirus.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="832" height="228" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w9N0GMV7CLw/XnYWk5uE3XI/AAAAAAAAA-A/XPVsdgVoEpU-K7vWxacKEMU2TF7qSjPdACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/CDC%2BCoronavirus.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">According to the Chief
Personnel Officer, Commander (Ret’d) Daryl Dindial, ‘Pandemic Leave’
only applies to government workers who are <b><span style="color: red;">(1)</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>parents
with no supervision for their children, and; <b><span style="color: red;">(2)</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>employees
who do not benefit from sick leave as part of their employment, in
the event, they fall ill, have to be quarantined or eventually are
confirmed to have contracted the coronavirus (CoViD-19). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">‘Government workers’ in this instance
refers to:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">1. Public
Officers – Permanent, temporary, monthly-paid and daily-rated<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">2. Fixed
Term Contract Employees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">3. Short Term
Contract Employees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">4. On
the Job Trainees (OJTs)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">5. Office
Holders within the purview of the Salaries Review Commission (SRC) (whose
Office falls in the Public Service such as Top Managers, Judiciary and Legal
Services)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Because you’re asking, I will assume
that you are a private sector employer, thus you are not legally obligated to
pay your employees for “pandemic leave”… however, if you can pay even a portion
of their wages or salaries to assist them during what will be a period of
certain economic hardship, please do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-8108857150474472792020-02-23T14:07:00.000-05:002020-03-16T09:48:11.851-04:00Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">Q:</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"> Now that marijuana is decriminalized, is
the smell of marijuana coming from my vehicle, reasonable cause to search my
vehicle without a warrant?</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>A:</b> This is a very interesting question
because whilst it is legal to have in one’s possession no more than 30 grams of
cannabis, the following is also true according to the <a href="http://news.gov.tt/sites/default/files/E-Gazette/Gazette%202019/Acts/Act%20No.%2024%20of%202019.pdf" target="_blank">Dangerous Drugs (Amendment)Act 2019</a>, which will eventually be incorporated into the <a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/alphabetical_list/lawspdfs/11.25.pdf" target="_blank">Dangerous Drugs Act</a>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">5C. A person who-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">(a) whilst under the
influence of cannabis, does anything which constitutes negligence, professional
malpractice, or professional misconduct;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">(b)
has cannabis or cannabis resin in his possession-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">(i)
on a school bus; or<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">(ii)
in or on any premises where children are present for the purposes of education
or attending or participating in any sporting or cultural activity; or<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">(c) operates, navigates,
or is in actual physical control of any motor vehicle, aircraft, or ship whilst
under the influence of cannabis, commits an offence and is liable on summary
conviction to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">a fine of two hundred and
fifty thousand dollars and to imprisonment for five years.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">However,
in some very interesting cases being handed down in the United States regarding
“Sniff & Search”, the courts have held that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/crime/bs-md-cr-marijuana-opinion-20190815-f5eqymioevej5laapnhz6jucfm-story.html" target="_blank">“Police still can use the smell of marijuana as justification to search a vehicle... But they can’t search anyone in the vehicle unless they find evidence of a crime, not even if police find a small amount of marijuana.”</a><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Be that
as it may in America, let’s see how these issues surrounding new marijuana laws
unfold in Trinidad and Tobago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-52284876367017789062020-02-10T07:50:00.001-05:002020-02-10T07:51:41.751-05:00Trinidad and Tobago litter laws<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Q:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
cannot stand people who litter… what are the laws on littering in Trinidad
& Tobago?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFW-f3jy6ds/XkFQZLRY0VI/AAAAAAAAA8g/VD5eTEIyzhgvIV-V4AMxxWQzbWCV0TrigCEwYBhgL/s1600/litter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="960" height="268" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFW-f3jy6ds/XkFQZLRY0VI/AAAAAAAAA8g/VD5eTEIyzhgvIV-V4AMxxWQzbWCV0TrigCEwYBhgL/s400/litter.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>A:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I am just
as disgusted by people who litter, from as small as cigarette butts and straws! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Litter
laws in Trinidad & Tobago are governed mainly by the following sections of
the <a href="http://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/Laws2/Alphabetical_List/lawspdfs/30.52.pdf" target="_blank">Litter Act 1973, as amended</a>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">3(1)(b)</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> – littering in a public place without
reasonable excuse<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">3(2)</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> – the unavailability of a bin is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>NOT</u></b> a reasonable excuse<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">3(3)</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> – if trash is thrown from a vehicle (except
bus or taxi), and it is not possible to determine who littered, the driver will
be ultimately responsible<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">3(5)</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> – For individuals, the penalty for littering
is a fine of $4000 or 6-months imprisonment; and for incorporated bodies, the
penalty is a fine of $8000<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> ------------------------</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">3A(1)</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
– Transporting any material that is likely to blow off of a vehicle or trailer
without it being properly secures or covered is an offence<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">3A(2)</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
- <span style="background: white; color: #333333;">For individuals, the penalty for
littering is a fine of $4000 or 6-months imprisonment; and for incorporated
bodies, the penalty is a fine of $8000<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"> ------------------------</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">4 </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">– Littering on someone else’s property is an offence, for
which the penalty is a fine of $4000 or 6-months imprisonment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">5A</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> – The penalty for repeat offenders is double the fine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">6</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> – The Local authority has the power to instruct an owner or
occupier of property to dispose of litter on said premises if it results in
defacement or is dangerous to health or life </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-11582375669459949852020-01-07T10:32:00.001-05:002020-01-07T10:32:21.439-05:00Street Vending laws in T&T<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Q:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Is Street
Vending actually illegal in Trinidad and Tobago?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_QXlOWyD4rs/XhSj-cCSb-I/AAAAAAAAA74/XEqbTbF2u_s7i5kiy7l8iHXsrV2LRA9vACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/San_Fernando_-Trinidad_and_Tobago_Street_Vendors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_QXlOWyD4rs/XhSj-cCSb-I/AAAAAAAAA74/XEqbTbF2u_s7i5kiy7l8iHXsrV2LRA9vACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/San_Fernando_-Trinidad_and_Tobago_Street_Vendors.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">A:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Yes,
Street Vending without a license is illegal under the <a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/Alphabetical_List/lawspdfs/11.02.pdf" target="_blank">Summary Offences Act 1921, as amended</a>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">64. (1)
Any person who commits any of the following offences in any street is, for each
offence, liable to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">a fine of two hundred
dollars or to imprisonment for one month</b>, that is to say, any person who:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">(a) exposes for show, hire, or sale (except
in a market or market place lawfully appointed for that purpose) any animal <span style="color: red;">[meat]</span>…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">(c) offers or exposes for sale any herbage
or forage in any public place in any town, other than such place or places as
may from time to time be lawfully appointed for that purpose; </span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">[</span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">vegetables</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">]</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">(d) exposes for sale any goods whatsoever
so that the same project into or over any footway or beyond the line of the
house, shop or building in which the same are exposed; <span style="color: red;">[goods]</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">(e) hangs or places any clothes on any line
or cord projecting over any part of any street, or on any wall, fence or paling
abutting upon any street; <span style="color: red;">[clothes]</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>
Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-19295819875952921112019-12-27T06:00:00.000-05:002019-12-27T06:00:02.118-05:00Top 10 questions on T&T Marijuana Laws<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: How heavy is 30g of marijuana?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">30g is approximately
equivalent to three (3) regular alkaline AAA batteries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: If I live at an apartment building/complex,
can I smoke there legally - is this considered a public or private place?</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Inside of your
apartment will be considered private; however, hallways, parking lots, stairwells
and lobbies of apartment buildings are all considered public places. Note, however,
that landlords can ban the use of marijuana anywhere on the premises.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: Can I share my marijuana with my
friends or other people?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Absolutely not. Sharing
without a license can be considered “distribution” leading to “drug trafficking,”
which may result in a fine of 3 million dollars, or life imprisonment for large
amounts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: Where can I buy marijuana in Trinidad
and Tobago?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In Trinidad and
Tobago, it is illegal to sell or purchase marijuana unless the seller has a license
and the buyer has a prescription.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: What’s the difference between cannabis and
cannabis resin?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cannabis is the combination of dried flowers and leaves of the cannabis
plant; whereas cannabis resin is the sticky residue on cannabis plants. Female
plants are grown and harvested for their resin, which is rich in THC and
therefore considered the most valuable part of the plant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: Is it legal to consume “weed brownies”?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So here’s the
technicality… to be charged with the possession of marijuana above the legal
limit, the marijuana must be weighed, which becomes IMPOSSIBLE if it is baked
or cooked into an edible. Unlike other countries where the possession of
edibles is specified, it is not the case in Trinidad & Tobago’s <a href="http://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/alphabetical_list/lawspdfs/11.25.pdf" target="_blank">Dangerous Drugs Act</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">--<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With regards to
the person selling these items, there is a far-fetched possibility that section
18 of the <a href="https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/Alphabetical_List/lawspdfs/11.08.pdf" target="_blank">Offences Against the Person Act</a> can be applied, but the prosecution
would be required to prove that a person who sells to a <b><u>willing</u></b>
buyer did so with the intention to “injure, aggrieve or annoy,” which, in my
view, is fully negated by the willing intention of both parties.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: Can I smoke inside my vehicle with the windows
up?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You can smoke inside your vehicle as long as you are not on a public road,
public space or private space legally accessible to the public. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: Why does the law only allow the growing
of male marijuana plants… what’s the difference with the female plant?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Technically, the
male marijuana plants made legal in Trinidad and Tobago do not produce the “ingredients”
for cannabis – these are found in the female marijuana plants, which are
illegal. Male marijuana plants are mainly useful for making edibles and juices,
creating hemp fibre for cloth and of course, breeding the more desirous female
plants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: Is Marijuana a gateway drug?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With many
things, one can find arguments supporting either side, but there is more research
evidence to prove that marijuana is not a gateway drug… <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/01/06/the-real-gateway-drug-thats-everywhere-and-legal/" target="_blank">and that the real gateway to drugs is actually 100% legal.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q:
This is ridiculous… what next - legalization of cocaine and heroin?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Seriously?</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579793611910834836.post-60189847637365728452019-12-25T07:00:00.000-05:002019-12-25T07:00:07.042-05:00Driving with Foreign or International licence or permit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Q: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;">For how long can I
drive in Trinidad and Tobago with a foreign or International driver's licence or
permit?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w3NAXPz5EP8/WBYnBCiz1jI/AAAAAAAAAwA/FpwepSMgCxMcVxWkJZ504Ma9A9W_7HXhACLcB/s1600/fake-drivers-license.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w3NAXPz5EP8/WBYnBCiz1jI/AAAAAAAAAwA/FpwepSMgCxMcVxWkJZ504Ma9A9W_7HXhACLcB/s1600/fake-drivers-license.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>A: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Here's the law according to the </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 13pt;"><b><a href="http://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/alphabetical_list/lawspdfs/48.50.pdf" target="_blank">Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act 1934, as amended</a>:</b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;">International driver's licences – no time frame</span></b><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"><u>55. (1)</u> The holder of an international driving
permit issued elsewhere than in Trinidad and Tobago, in accordance with the provisions
of any International Convention relating to the international circulation of
motor vehicles which shall have been applied to Trinidad and Tobago, shall,
whilst such permit remains valid, be exempted from any requirement to hold a
driving permit under this Act to drive in Trinidad and Tobago; but he shall
only be entitled to drive in Trinidad and Tobago a motor vehicle of the class
for which he holds an authorisation to drive in the country in which his
international driving permit was issued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;">Foreign
driver's licences – 3 months<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"><u>56A. (1)</u> Notwithstanding section 42(1) the holder
of a valid driving permit issued in any country referred to in subsection (2)
shall, whilst such permit remains valid, be exempted for a period of <u>three
months</u> from the date of his arrival in Trinidad and Tobago from any
requirement to hold a driving permit issued under this Act to drive in Trinidad
and Tobago; but he shall only be entitled to drive in Trinidad and Tobago a
motor vehicle of the class for which he is authorised to drive by the permit of
which he is the holder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;">To be
accompanied by passport<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"><u>(3) </u>The holder of a valid driving permit referred
to in subsection (1) who drives or is in charge of a motor vehicle on any road
shall have such driving permit on his person or in the motor vehicle together
with any travel document on which is certified his date of arrival in Trinidad
and Tobago for production as required by subsection (4).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Trinbago Rightshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979966801415147544noreply@blogger.com0