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DPP Scatliffe shares statistics with SFC; She is ‘short staffed’

Ms Tiffany R. Scatliffe, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), made a brief presentation when she appeared before the House of Assembly (HoA) Standing Finance Committee (SFC) last month as legislators examined the 2023 Budget Estimates. Photo: GIS/File
Deputy Premier and Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), right, and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour and Member for the Second District Hon Melvin M. Turnbull, left, had questions for DPP Tiffany R. Scatliffe during Standing Finance Committee in December 2022. Photo: GIS/File
Deputy Premier and Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), right, and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour and Member for the Second District Hon Melvin M. Turnbull, left, had questions for DPP Tiffany R. Scatliffe during Standing Finance Committee in December 2022. Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Ms Tiffany R. Scatliffe, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), made a brief presentation when she appeared before the House of Assembly (HoA) Standing Finance Committee (SFC) last month, as legislators examined the 2023 Budget Estimates.

The DPP listed the statistical figures up to November 15, 2022, as follows:

426 complaints were laid and there were 23 indictments.

In the Magistrate's Court, the office had one hundred and fifty-two (152) convictions and ninety -four (94) acquittals.

In the High Court, the office had twenty-five (25) convictions, seven (7) non-convictions and two (2) appeals. In the Court of Appeal, the office had four (4) High Court appeals, and seven (7) Magistrate's Court appeals, with 2 Magistrate's Court appeals being heard. 

The office forfeited $1,187,561.00 and her office detained $599, 247, according to the SFC report.

Not the crown fault-DPP

The Minister for Natural Resources and Labour and Member for the Second District Hon Melvin M. Turnbull inquired about suggestions to be done between the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, DPP Office and the Magistrate’s Court to ensure that persons receive proper representations.

The DPP in her response stated that “the Criminal Justice System is not dependent on the crown. There is a defense bar as well.”

Ms Scatliffe also indicated that the remedy for the delays is the Criminal Procedure Rules. This procedure “puts strict timelines on parties to ensure that matters go through the court system faster.”

The Deputy Premier and Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) thanked the DPP and indicated that she had his “full support.” He queried whether she had moved to her new location.

The DPP stated that the office has moved to the new location, and it was completed at the end of July 2022, however, she did not indicate where the location was in the SFC report.

Hon Rymer also queried if the DPP was fully staffed.

Not fully staff-DPP

The DPP indicated that she is “not fully staffed.” Ms Scatliffe also indicated there are three (3) Senior Crown Counsel posts vacant, one (1) Crown Counsel post vacant, two (2) Legal Executive Officer post vacant and one (1) Paralegal II (Case file Manager) post vacant.

Is she truly independent as per the constitution?

Over the past months, the Office of the DPP has come under fire about her independence and whether the Governor is directing her on who should be prosecuted and targeted.

13 Responses to “DPP Scatliffe shares statistics with SFC; She is ‘short staffed’”

  • Really (16/01/2023, 09:21) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Every place the excuse is short staff, what about the pay you all want to give people when you have them working all kids of positions for one pay. One person doing many tasks for Under 8.00 a hour is pure wicked. Getting Under 400.00 a week for these positions is just ludicrous, you all want slaves not workers. People in big position having sex to get more pay is nasty
    • John Crow (16/01/2023, 11:30) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      So if you going to use your front for more pay you in the wrong business. You need to go work in the bar them and charge your price.!
    • Why (16/01/2023, 14:49) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      No lawyer who is competent would consider working for the current DPP - that is why there are such high numbers of vacancies despite the higher than comparable regional salaries on offer in the DPPs office.
  • Asking For Myself (16/01/2023, 09:42) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    What happened to the human trafficking of police to St Thomas? How come that was left under the rug? Who made the call to the Dpp to leave it alone?
    • @ asking for myself (16/01/2023, 13:44) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      We all know the story of that illegal act that was covered up and now the man is in the police force.

      People this cannot be Justice as Collins go free!!
  • Why is it so (16/01/2023, 09:52) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply

    The Department is short staffed because the DPP is difficult to work with. Check the record and find out how many persons have left this office in the last six months or so. Graham is back, sack her and pick up Graham. It is better for him to be on the Government's side than out there making her look worse.

  • foxy (16/01/2023, 11:09) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hope the governor is not telling her what to do!
  • Attitude (16/01/2023, 11:37) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Your attitude is stink, so nobody wants to work with you. You continue to cost the government money because you cant even win a damn case. CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE!!
  • The watchdog (16/01/2023, 18:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We want Terence back
  • Rubber Duck (16/01/2023, 23:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is she truly independent as per the constitution?

    Over the past months, the Office of the DPP has come under fire about her independence and whether the Governor is directing her on who should be prosecuted and targeted.

    We all know the answer for this they are NOT INDEPENDENT
  • owl (17/01/2023, 21:17) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    There is only good pay for the whites.
  • Unbelievable (23/01/2023, 09:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    "The DPP indicated that she is not fully staffed..." The Department is not fully staffed, not her. Although she does look fully stuffed.


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