Sashawna Thompson is Resident Magistrate for Toledo

Magistrate Sashawna Jody-Ann Thompson, originally from Jamaica and now the Resident Magistrate for the Toledo District, was called to the Belize Bar of Attorneys for the High Court on February 7, 2025. She earned her Bachelor of Law from the University of the West Indies (Mona) in 2018 and her Legal Education Certificate from the Norman Manley Law School in 2020. Thompson has been an accomplished Defense Attorney in Jamaica since 2021 and has worked with the Magistracy for three years. Now, she’s qualified as an attorney in two jurisdictions, all before turning 30. She was called to the bar by Honorable Madam Justice Martha Alexander, with Senior Counsel Philip Zuniga assisting. In her five years of legal practice, Magistrate Thompson has dedicated herself to the legal community. She’s trained in court-annexed criminal mediation, first responder protocols, and digital forensics on criminology from UNODC Spain, among other achievements. Thompson gives back to the Toledo District through philanthropic work, including motivational speeches at schools, lectures for teachers and students, and sensitization programs on constitutional rights with non-profits. Beyond her legal work, Thompson is deeply involved in the creative arts, including acting, performative poetry, writing, and directing. Her poetry often explores the human condition, social issues, and women’s empowerment. She continues to work with citizens and stakeholders to inform, protect, and promote justice in Belize.