Dear Editor,
There are poor people I know who have family members on remand in prison because they cannot afford to post cash bail and cannot afford a lawyer to approach the High Court for a reduction in bail.
However, some of these people could fill out the paperwork correctly and get it stamped by a JP, the High Court and the DPP’s office, which is what is required for a petition to reduce the amount of bail. I would like to know why a member of the public cannot appear with a petition that is drawn up correctly, and cannot appear for their families in matters of this kind.
Yours faithfully,
Colin Andrews
Editor’s note
We have been advised by an attorney-at-law that the Legal Practitioner’s Amendment Act stipulates that all legal matters must be handled by a lawyer, with the exception of the preparation of a will. The attorney noted, however, that individuals who could not afford the services of a lawyer could consider approaching Legal Aid for assistance.
