- OFFENCES RELATING TO JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS
- SVG police warns media on reporting restrictions in judicial proceedings
The Saint Vincent Police Force (RSVGPF) has issued a warning to the media and public about certain sections of the Criminal Code, Chapter 171 of the Revised Edition of the Laws of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 2009, which pertain to offences relating to judicial proceedings.
Section 98, subsection (1) (h) states that anyone who publishes a report on evidence taken in a private judicial proceeding is guilty of an offense and liable to imprisonment for two years.
On Thursday 7th March 2024, a criminal matter involving a charge of rape and indecent assault was discharged in the Family Court. Following this, members of the media published a story on the result of the proceeding. The RSVGPF wishes to advise that such action contravenes the aforementioned section in the Criminal Code.
The RSVGPF urges media to remove any publication related to this case immediately and follow the stipulations outlined in the Criminal Code when publishing similar matters in the future.
