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The Director of Public Prosecutions (the “DPP”) is a duly qualified attorney-at-law who has been appointed pursuant to Section 50 of the Constitution of Belize, to be in charge of public prosecutions in Belize. The DPP has the power to, among other things, institute, and undertake criminal proceedings against any person before any court of law (other than a court-martial) in respect of any offence alleged to have been committed by that person.
The DPP is supported by an Office, termed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. In addition to secretaries, and paralegals the Office is comprised of a team of dedicated attorneys known as Crown Counsel or Prosecutors. With the authorization or instructions of the DPP, these Crown Counsel are able to exercise the powers of the DPP and as such they assist the DPP in exercising Her duties. The Office of the DPP may be viewed as the national prosecuting authority in Belize.
The DPP and Crown Counsel prosecute a wide range of offenses primarily in the High Court. In the Magistrate’s Court, summary matters are prosecuted mainly by police officers who are trained civilian prosecutors. However, in complex or unusual cases a Crown Counsel may attend the Magistrate Court to prosecute a particular matter.
The following is a list of some of the functions of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions:
Review police case files and provide legal advice.
Decide whether criminal cases should be prosecuted.
Meet and liaise with complainants and witnesses in criminal matters.
Brief complainants and Crown witnesses before trial.
Institute and undertake criminal proceedings before any court, except a court-martial.
Represent the State in bail hearings and oppose bail where appropriate.
Represent the State in bail hearings and oppose bail where appropriate.
Represent the State in other criminal court proceedings.
Advise police and law enforcement institutions on criminal law and legal implications.
Advise Government Ministries and institutions on matters relating to criminal law.
Discontinue criminal proceedings where appropriate before judgment is rendered.
Provide lectures and training to police and government bodies requiring specialized criminal law knowledge.
Direct the Belize Police Department to investigate credible allegations of criminal conduct.
The role of a prosecutor is very different from that of a defence counsel. A prosecutor is a Minister of Justice. His primary role in a criminal proceeding is not to secure a conviction at all cost, but to ensure that justice is delivered. His obligation is merely to lay credible and relevant evidence before a tribunal whether it is a judge or a judge and jury. As such it is said that the role of a prosecutor rejects the notation of winning and losing. A prosecutor suffers no defeat and attains no victory.
To create a well-trained, highly motivated, and dedicated staff that works alongside the other stakeholders in the criminal system to ensure that offenders are brought to justice timely and fairly.
To deliver justice through the fair, independent, and fearless prosecution of criminal offenders.
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