Criminal
Common-law criminal procedure with jury trial for indictable offences
Criminal law follows the Criminal Law (Offences) Act and procedure the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act, with summary matters in the magistrates' courts and indictable offences tried before a judge and jury in the High Court. Paper committals were introduced to reduce delay. Plea bargaining is statutory under the Criminal Procedure (Plea Bargaining and Plea Agreement) Act 2008.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — National, with final criminal appeals to the CCJ
- Deadline — Detainee brought before a court within 72 hours under the Constitution
- Deadline — Appeal to the Court of Appeal: within the time set by the Court of Appeal Act and rules
Governing law
- Criminal Law (Offences) ActCap 8:01
- Criminal Law (Procedure) ActCap 10:01
- Criminal Procedure (Plea Bargaining and Plea Agreement) Act 2008
In practice
The death penalty remains on the statute book for murder and treason but Guyana has not carried out an execution since 1997, and the CCJ's jurisprudence on mandatory death sentences has constrained its application. Trial by jury for indictable offences distinguishes Guyanese procedure sharply from its Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking neighbours on the continent.