Global Journal of Transformation in Law, Human Rights and Social Justice [ISSN: 2581-4001]

A Quantitative Evaluation of Serious and Violent Crimes in Jamaica for 2022 and 2023

Paul Andrew Bourne — 2024-02-26

Introduction: During the 19^th century, there was evidence that major crimes were committed in Jamaica, particularly intentional homicides, which explains the need for and the establishment of the JCF. Since that time, intentional homicides and other major crimes such as assault, rapes, shootings, and robberies have become an epidemic without its rightful public health classification in Jamaica.

Objective: This study aims to examine arrests for various Crime Categories; specifically Category One Crimes for the period 2023/2022. It is hoped that the information gleaned will further inform policy-making and policy implementation relating to crime-fighting strategies/initiatives, as well as add to the existing body of literature on the topic.

Methods and materials: This study employs a descriptive research design using secondary data. The Statistics and Information Management Unit (SIMU) of the JCF provided the data for this research.

Findings: The findings also revealed that 43.0% of the six serious and violent crimes committed in 2023 were cleared up compared to 39.5% in 2022. In 2023, the cleared-up rate for rape was 79.8% and aggravated assault was 73.6%, which were the only two crimes with at least a 50 per cent cleared-up rate. For the other serious and violent crimes – murder, shooting, robbery and break-in the cleared-up rates were 47.6%, 35.9%, 24.9% and 31.9% respectively.

Conclusion: The JCF is charged with the responsibility to solve the crime problem by implementing measures that may lead to faster apprehension of offenders to deter future crimes.

Independence of Judiciary under Indian Constitution

Dr. Dushyant Kumar — 2024-02-26

The judicial branch of our government is tasked with defending the Constitution. The judiciary is scrutinised when other government apparatuses fall short in their duties. The Indian people's confidence and trust are essential for the judiciary to function effectively. Favouritism, nepotism, corruption, and bribery have slowly infiltrated the legal system over time and established a permanent home there, shielded by the legal defences of contempt of court and impunity. The constitutional jurisprudence governing our judicial power was established by the framers of our constitution, but the accountability laws were not created with a sense of pragmatic principles in mind.

The researcher of this paper has emphasised the concept of judicial accountability and the ways in which Indian Constitutional judges have attempted to evade their responsibility while donning the mantle of judicial independence. Additionally, a number of cases involving a lack of accountability and transparency that has led to nepotism, favouritism, and other issues in the nation's judicial system have been discussed. The issues and worries surrounding judicial independence have also been covered in the paper, along with potential solutions for maintaining the independence, integrity, and dignity of the legal system.

An Analysis of aspects of international law that provide incentives for Zambian Companies to Invest Abroad

F.K. Musweu — 2024-02-26

A number of companies intending to invest in foreign markets including Zambian companies may be subjected to various regulations in the countries they intend to invest. Some of the regulations may work to the advantage of the investing company in foreign markets and some of the regulations may work to the disadvantage of these companies. This article analyses aspects of international law that provide incentives to foreign companies including Zambian companies to invest abroad. The article focuses solely on incentives that relate to Zambian companies.

Due to the specialized nature of the topic the article is entirely based on secondary data. Information is specifically obtained from scholarly articles in finance, management and legal studies, various textbooks in finance, management and legal studies and journals from professional bodies.

Special Courts in India: An Evaluation of their Role in Streaming Judicial Process

Jamna . — 2024-02-26

This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of the role and effectiveness of Special Courts in India, focusing on their impact on streamlining the judicial process. In the face of a perennially overloaded legal system, the Indian judiciary has sought innovative solutions to manage the backlog of cases and deliver timely justice. Special Courts, established to address specific types of cases such as corruption, terrorism, and environmental issues, represent a crucial element in these efforts. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis, this study examines the procedural efficiencies, challenges, and outcomes associated with Special Courts, drawing on a range of data sources, including court records, interviews with legal practitioners, and analysis of legal frameworks. The findings reveal that while Special Courts have significantly contributed to reducing case backlog and ensuring faster resolution of specialized disputes, they also face challenges related to resource allocation, jurisdictional clarity, and maintaining the balance between expedited justice and the rights of the accused. The paper concludes with recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of Special Courts, including measures for improving judicial infrastructure, increasing transparency in the appointment of judges, and fostering greater public awareness about the role and functioning of these courts.

Police Fatality in Jamaica, 2013 to 2023: An Epidemiological Profile of the Crime Fighting Dilemma of Police Officers in Jamaica

Paul Andrew Bourne — 2024-02-26

This study investigates the mortality rates within the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) from 2013 to 2023, comparing these to the general Jamaican population to identify any significant disparities and underlying causes. The research utilised a descriptive research design analysing secondary data from the JCF's Statistics and Information Management Unit. Our findings reveal a notably higher probability of death from murders and traffic-related incidents among JCF members compared to the general population. Specifically, the death rate within the JCF ranged between 1.6 and 2.9 per 1000 population, while the general Jamaican population experienced a higher range of 5.6 to 8.9 per 1000 population over the same period. However, the probability of dying was more significant in the JCF than in the broader population for six of the eleven years studied. Natural causes accounted for the majority of deaths in both populations, though murders constituted a higher percentage of deaths within the JCF (20.9%) compared to Jamaica overall (6.37%). This research highlights the increased risks law enforcement officers face in Jamaica and underscores the need for targeted interventions to address these risks.