Efforts Underway to Help Clear Legal Backlog

The Government of Belize and the U.S. Embassy are joining forces to try and assist with reducing the back log of legal cases. This week was the first session to examine the issue. Senior officials from the Belize judiciary and legal community examined the framework and standards of criminal case management processes as well as current challenges. The U.S. Department of State’s Director for Central American Affairs, Patrick Ventrell, Attorney General Magali Marin Young, Chief Justice Michelle Arana, Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer, and Director of Public Prosecution Cheryl-Lynn Vidal attended. Representatives of the Belize Judiciary, the Bar Association, Human Rights Commission, the Ministry of Human Development, the Police Department, and the U.S. Embassy’s office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement also participated.