314 Cases to Be Handled in Hoima Plea Bargaining Camp
Hon. Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, the Director of Public Prosecution speaking at the Plea Bargain Session at Hoima Prison
By the close of Day, I of the Plea Bargaining Camp at Hoima Prison at least a total of 314 accused persons had signed up to participate in the exercise.
Initially, 100 inmates had expressed interest to plead guilty in exchange for a lenient sentence or lesser charge but the numbers quickly swelled up as many inmates were awed by the fast access to justice initiative.
The plea bargain camp continued today 8th March 2023 in both Masindi and Hoima prisons due to the big numbers of inmates who expressed interest in enrolling for the programme. Both High Court and Magistrate Courts cases have been handled despite it being a public holiday.
The Prosecutors in Hoima were joined by the Director of Public Prosecution, Hon. Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, who guided them to negotiate for sentences that are commensurate to the crimes committed.
She urged the Judicial Officers to adhere to the Plea Bargain procedure that is laid out in the Judicature (Plea Bargain) Rules and advised them against altering sentences in open court when an agreement has already been signed by the Prosecution and Defense. She further advised that the best they could do if dissatisfied with the agreements is to reject them.
She encouraged the petty offenders who know that they committed the offences they are charged with, to enroll on the programme since some of them had already served their sentences. She however cautioned them not to confuse Plea Bargain with forgiveness.
At the Camp, some cases have been withdrawn from court due to lack of evidence and some petty offenders have benefited from community service.
By the close of Wednesday, at least 132 cases had been concluded in Masindi and 32 in Hoima.
Posted 8th, March 2023
