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'You are the problem!'- Senior Magistrate tells lawyer

- Tamia N. Richards said lawyers want to take on more cases than they can handle
Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards has chided lawyers in the [British] Virgin Islands for wanting to take on too many cases and negatively affecting their own clients as a result. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards has lashed out against lawyers in the [British] Virgin Islands for what she said were a few shortcomings of persons in that profession that have served to hold back the free flow of the judicial system.

At the time, she was responding to Attorney-at-law Michael Maduro, who was the legal representative for Pia King, 22, of Butu Mountain, in the Magistrate's Court on Monday, March 8, 2021. King was charged, along with Dwight Callwood, for the offence of Keeping a Firearm Without a License.

Attorney Maduro was at the time making legal arguments for King to be granted bail, which was eventually granted to her in the sum of $60,000 with a $10,000 cash component and one surety.

Trial delays argument

Mr Maduro told the court that one of the factors that must be taken into consideration for granting bail is how timely a matter like this one would advance to trial as sometimes the evidence and witnesses are not there on the day of the trial.

“It is a prejudice to them your honour,” he argued, adding that it is especially the case for persons not granted bail and are at Her Majesty’s Prison on remand.

The magistrate then asked Maduro if there was a case law that he could reference so she could take into consideration to support his point; however, he was unable to provide it.

Lawyers are the problem!

Magistrate Richards then commented that the reason sometimes cases are held up is because lawyers are taking on too many cases and causing their clients to be negatively affected as a result.

“The only problem in my court with matters such as this system is lawyers. I don’t have a problem with matters getting into my system but it is not just me, it’s you, your High Court, when you in High Court, not you necessarily, you are before this person, you are before that person, you guys want all, you want to get all. So basically, you are the problem in this system, and maybe the high court allows you guys to just run amuck but you know I don’t allow you to run amuck down here!”

She said lawyers have a habit of skipping court, especially defence lawyers.

“You have this other client, that other client, and the next other client, and you forget about the first client. So don’t use it for your advantage because you are the problem, you and your colleagues, you are the problem!”

She also referenced the tardiness of certain lawyers who have the court waiting.

“So don’t use it before me to say that there is a delay in the system when you are the problem,” the Senior Magistrate stated.

25 Responses to “'You are the problem!'- Senior Magistrate tells lawyer”

  • agreed (09/03/2021, 10:31) Like (21) Dislike (5) Reply
    Lawyers of anywhere is the biggest issue. They know. They absolutely know their client/s are dead wrong yet trying to prove them right. It’s sad when a fully wrong person get proven right or innocence and the actual innocence one’s doesn’t get justice. I can’t believe how some lawyers will defend way it was ok to have drugs, have a gun, kill someone etc. lawyers needs to start being held accountable and taking responsibility. Lawyers win the case “ they get paid “ lawyers lose the case “they get paid”
  • She Ain’t Lie!!!!!!!! (09/03/2021, 10:38) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    THIS THIS AND THIS OH DID I SAY THIS:

    “The only problem in my court with matters such as this system is lawyers. I don’t have a problem with matters getting into my system but it is not just me, it’s you, your High Court, when you in High Court, not you necessarily, you are before this person, you are before that person, you guys want all, you want to get all. So basically, you are the problem in this system, and maybe the high court allows you guys to just run a mock but you know I don’t allow you to run a mock down here!”

    These lawyers take cases and DO NOTHING but log hours and charge you then present a lackadaisical case to the Court no matter what information their clients provide and suggest that could help the case.

    IT’S ALLLLLL ABOUT MONEY FOR THEM AND SOME LACK A CONSCIENCE DEFENDING IMMORAL CASES.
  • ReX FeRal (09/03/2021, 10:59) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    In yuh stugget Maduro.
  • crime (09/03/2021, 11:06) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Seems like there's real money in that field.....crime really pay meh bio..both ways too
  • judge (09/03/2021, 11:12) Like (19) Dislike (48) Reply
    This Magistrate is out of control. How dare she tell people what they can or cannot handle. She is obviously
    putting too much food in her cheeks
    • @ judge (09/03/2021, 12:16) Like (26) Dislike (3) Reply
      You obviously not feeding your brain cells enough to not understand how clients are being slighted by such lawyers.
    • @ judge (09/03/2021, 13:38) Like (11) Dislike (37) Reply
      Her face and neck clearly supports your food theory. She needs to humble herself and lose some weight
  • B**** (09/03/2021, 12:59) Like (6) Dislike (30) Reply

    this magistrate is a b****. straight up out of control

  • Period! (09/03/2021, 13:45) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    Magistrate said... Don’t come for her if she ain’t send for you.lol. She’s right it’s not fair to the clients. If your workload is too strenuous don’t take additional cases.
  • hmmmmmm (09/03/2021, 13:53) Like (11) Dislike (11) Reply

    When it's her family will the tone change to her statement?

  • Xxx (09/03/2021, 14:00) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thing to talk
  • The system need to change (09/03/2021, 17:25) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    If the Magistrate was aware of the tardiness of the Lawyers previously she should have made the Law Association who regulate Lawyers in the BVI, about her concerns, not now because of a legitimate concern. She also took a swipe at the High Court Judges too whose position are superior to hers. Just because the High Court Judges overruled her decisions most times in bail cases, doesn't mean their courts are slack, far from it.

    What I will like to see happen in 2021 is the BVI Court system undergo a review for modernisation, example, all Magistrates courts furnished with a stenographer, so that magistrates can disposed of cases quickly and effectively, efficient bale arrangements there are too many people in prison awaiting hearings some years, maybe electronic tagging can help, strict dates for hearings, penalties against the Lawyers who violate the dates without legitimate excuses, ticket penalties for most traffic offences and minor crimes. I can go on on but its not necessary.
    I think the Magistrate sound have suggested practical ideas to improve the service rendered instead of making unnecessary comments which doesn't improve the present situation. She must remember she is dealing with people, that is witnesses, defendants, victims, Lawyers and her actions affect the wider society too. Judicial reform is badly needed.
  • Hm... (10/03/2021, 06:57) Like (4) Dislike (8) Reply
    I’m more concerned about why she looks so unkept as a senior magistrate....if it were me (which I have no desire to be, so don’t even try it) I would’ve put in a bit more effort into my appearance. It’s hard to take people in any type of “power” seriously when they don’t sharpen up their appearance.
    • wow (10/03/2021, 08:41) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      @hm... you mean like how all those tots on social media be looking but them hearts need detergent? I feel you! “Stick to your day job and keep being bougie”
    • wow (10/03/2021, 10:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Vanity gets you nowhere when you so vain.
    • @Hm... (12/03/2021, 05:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      You people dont like to hear the truth. What does her looks have to do with her telling the truth? The magistrate is on point! Keep at their backs sometimes I wonder if lawyers are serving a purpose or make matters worse? Áll about the money and no passion for justice....
  • OUT OF PLACE (10/03/2021, 09:54) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
    She should be pulled up, warned, reprimanded or dealt with for taking a cheap swipe at the Supreme Court and the Judges
  • yesssss (10/03/2021, 10:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    P**** the crook and his assistant ******** are perfect example......all now as my lawyers I'm still waiting on answers.......worse representation ever!!!!!!! stuck on parole cause of them 2 money hungry lawyers.......may God be with y'all both....

  • @HM (10/03/2021, 18:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just focus on the messags - you might learn something
  • tretretrete (11/03/2021, 07:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tell them stop bringing up cases that could of gotten thrown out esspecially from the year 2016/2017 but is because people love money they will still find a way to have a case for you to go court and the sad thing is crimes will never stop they will keep piling up...
  • Judicial Conspiracy (13/03/2021, 11:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    SENIOR MAGISTRATE Tamia Richards you have the power to GRANT FREEDOM to those represented by incompetent lawyers. It’s wrong to have people locked up for yearsssss, NO BAIL, NO WITNESSES,NO TRIAL. People have families to take care of really and truly, goals to achieve regardless of the accusations they’re being held for. Imagine watching a inmate as filth because somebody falsely accused them, how are you going to reciprocate when you all get RIGHTFULLY ACCUSED for abusing your power in the judicial system. STORY HEAD LINE ... very unnecessary your apart of the inhuman activity . Somebody have to make a change . YOU SUPPOSE TO BE THE “BIG DAWG”!!!!! MAKE A CHANGE MY FELLOW BLACK WOMAN . Be the change that THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS NEED. FREE EVERYBODY UP HER MAJESTY SITTING WAITING FOR YEARSS TO JUST SPEAK THEIR TRUTH.
    THAT DOLLAR GOING EVENTUALLY DO FOR YOU ALL.

    GOD BLESS THE WORLD


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