Waylon Johnston
Arraignment notice 'too short'
Two lawyers have a filed a judicial protest against the Police Commissioner claiming that a client was remanded in custody after they were informed of her arraignment just minutes in advance and so could not make it on time. Lawyers Josè Herrera and Veronique Dalli said that at about 6 p.m. on Thursday, Police Inspector Joseph Agius informed them that Maria Magdalena Sultana would be arraigned in 10 minutes' time. Ms Sultana stands accused of defrauding another person of €1,500.
Dr Dalli immediately telephoned Dr Herrera who dropped everything and went to court to represent the woman. On arrival he found that the arraignment was over and Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera had remanded his client in custody.
It was unacceptable that a police inspector treated the fundamental rights of an accused person in a nonchalant way, which, ultimately, denied her a fair hearing, the lawyers held.
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Norbert Farrugia
Dec 9th 2009, 17:00
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091208/letters/police-inspector-acted-correctly
M. Xuereb
Nov 21st 2009, 19:40
I am quite sure that Mgt. Consuelo Scerri Herrera knew what she was doing. And please, the lawyers are not so angelic, so for once let us appreciate what the police are doing for us. Go Insp. Agius.
Alfred Muscat
Nov 21st 2009, 12:03
I tend to AGREE Neil Vella....A police inspector did his job only to find lawyers and magistrates too lienet to pass a deserving sentence. OK the person is ofent remanded in custody but then sentences are to light and few are vthe magisytrates that conider giving others an example. At least these people should be given the maximimiun of a sentence contemplated by LAW.
Neil Vella
Nov 21st 2009, 09:30
Why do the Police always take the blame. I am sure that the Magistrate also noticed that the accused didn't have legal advice. Why did the case proceed, and not wait for the lawyer. Who remanded Maria Magdalena Sultana in custody...........the Police inspector or the Court Authorities. Police always get the blame because they cannot make their voice heard. Instead of thanking this Police Inspector for doing his job and arraigning alleged criminals to court............... useless talk, Welcome to Malta. Well Done Police Inspector Agius.