Sykes: Judges can cut gun sentences - Chief justice points to legal provisions allowing reductions below mandatory minimum

Chief Justice Bryan Sykes has pushed back against claims that Jamaica's tough firearms legislation ties judges' hands, pointing to provisions that allow the Court of Appeal to slash mandatory minimum sentences where they are deemed manifestly excessive and unjust. Sykes said while a trial judge is generally required to impose the prescribed minimum sentence, the Criminal Justice (Administration) Act provides mechanisms through which the Court of Appeal can reduce the punishment where there are compelling reasons to consider it manifestly excessive and unjust.