Eighteen Select Senior Justices of the Peace (JPs) have been sworn in with the authority to issue emergency interim protection orders in domestic violence cases, giving victims another avenue to seek urgent legal protection when magistrates’ courts are closed.
The 18 JPs were sworn in on October 30 at the Family Court in Belize City. Their authority allows them to issue Emergency Interim Protection Orders for periods not exceeding 72 hours, providing temporary protection while cases await consideration by the magistrate’s court.
Minister of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs Thea Garcia-Ramirez says the need for the initiative became clear following a tragic case in San Felipe involving a woman and her two children.
“There are many instances when a person or a victim needs a protection order,” she said. “It happens during celebrations on weekends, after hours. And so we needed to close that gap, and that’s what we did.”
Garcia-Ramirez says Senior JP Amelio Cal proposed the initiative, which was developed with the Attorney General, the Family Court and senior magistrates.
Adrian Madrid, Senior Justice of the Peace and a Commissioner of the High Court, says the officers will be available from the time the courts close at five on Friday until they reopen on Monday, including during public holidays.
“Those weekends, we have noticed that that’s when a lot of violence happens, especially when people are drinking, partying. After the party, then you have problems. And that’s when the abuse comes. And there’s nowhere to go,” Madrid said.
The officers will operate through designated police stations, providing a secure setting for persons reporting abuse and for the JPs carrying out their duties. Madrid says they must exercise their new authority carefully and remain committed to serving the public.
Garcia-Ramirez says Select Senior JPs are available across every district, with police already knowing how to contact them. She says the programme could be expanded in the future, but appointments must remain carefully regulated and comply with the law.
“It’s great work that when things can get done and they can get done quickly when we all work together and when we have the same goal, and that is the protection of victims and survivors,” Garcia-Ramirez said.
