REAL NEWS: Chief Magistrate Walsh served with 10 disciplinary charges after Legal Services Commission completes investigation
Following an investigation authorized by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC), Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh has been served with 10 disciplinary charges, sources tell REAL News.
Reportedly, the probe into Walsh’s professional conduct was undertaken by a judge assigned by the Commission, which is headquartered in St. Lucia.
Walsh, who remains on the bench in the meantime, is expected to defend herself against those charges, and the sources claim that two attorneys already have been contacted.
In the meantime, Attorney-General Steadroy Benjamin, who is also the minister of legal affairs, has been advised by the Commission, the sources add.
Insiders say the news – delivered on Tuesday, July 12 – has “rocked the magistracy,” and they indicate that “changes may be coming at the top.”
Earlier this year, REAL News reported that a senior officer at the St. John’s Police Station had accused the chief magistrate of conduct unbecoming of her office. The officer, said to be second in command at the station, recorded that she had physically assaulted him and used indecent language in the presence of junior Court staff.
That was the latest in a series of reports made against Walsh, including one by a Court employee, who alleged she had been the victim of intimidation and aggression by the chief magistrate.
Last year, a letter making the rounds on social media accused her of other offenses and alerted the public to the level of distrust among the chief magistrate, the Court staff, and ministry officials.
Two earlier attempts had been made to investigate the accusations against Walsh – first, by an officer of the High Court and the second, reportedly, by the ministry’s permanent secretary. However, it is alleged that both were thwarted by objections from the chief magistrate.
However, the sources say that, following the report by the senior police office, the JLSC assigned a judge to investigate the complaints. Reportedly, he was on island in March and April and conducted interviews with persons having knowledge of the chief magistrate’s conduct.
Prior to her promotion to her current position, Walsh worked as a senior Crown counsel in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions under the leadership of Anthony Armstrong.
Armstrong recently received the Cabinet’s approval for early retirement, following charges of misconduct leveled in his native Jamaica.
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Bramble ?
@ Truth to be told: Kudos to the complainant & the commission. We need a commission of similar nature for SLBMC. Medical practitioners ( doctors & nurses) are getting away with some practices that need questioning and need to be taken actions against. Many patients are left with cases that need to be properly answered….
We need another JLSC investigation to determine what legal authority she used to dismiss the case under the Public Order Act, against SIX (6) MEMBERS of the Antigua Labour Party, that complaint was filed by former Commissioner of Police Vere Browne!
God does not sleep not slumber!! 🙏👏
Truth Be Told, Asot Michael could be subpoenaed and that could be the rusty nail in her coffin.
Brixtonian being proved right, time and time again and virtually every single day. Now watch this whole CABAL collapse like a deck of playing cards.
Look how this judge has been clean bowled. Owzat!
The dominoe effect is well underway. Crash!
Watch the next jockey fall at the last fence. Oh dear!
THE COLLABORATIVE TRIPARTITE IS SLOWLY BEING EXPOSED FOLKS!
More to come, me ah tell unna. Wait and see … 😁
Brix.. stop showing yourself an idiot. A magistrate is not a judge. They are different
The walls are ah tumbling down @ tenman and @ FromTheSideline, honesty and integrity is going to return to Antigua & Barbuda and there will be SINGING, DANCING and REJOICING in the streets.
CAN’T WAIT …
Well we’ll
How the mighty fall I have a story that would rock the legal Antiguan system of un unfair trial
My friend was jailed over a domestic situation
The women was a personal friend so the boyfriend was persecuted and sent to jail being innocent of the accusations made.
His solicitor was told to back off
Walsh had no mercy
All comes to them that wait
Why did Bramble came to my mind ?
That’s real Karma, this magistrate isn’t smiling now …
@ Well wisher
So what is done in darkness really does come to light. In addition….Y’all don’t think it’s time to use a better photo this has got to be the worst photo of her I have ever seen.
There is a local attorney who is closely connected that I’d like to bring charges against for fraud. This makes me believe I might just get justice on this island. I was told by this attorney that he is untouchable because he knows people in high places.
When will the AG be investigated?
Stay strong hun. God one knows that the witch hunt continues and will end at some point. When Some people open pandora box they should beware that things might escape.
tenman Brix is an idiot, because they always say that the magistrate works with the political hierarchy. And now it shows clearly that the judiciary doesn’t answer the executive. The judiciary has their own rules and investigates their own matters. And takes their decision. But note that the good lady has the right to defend the charges brought against her. The system works perfectly.
You sound perplexed @ From The Sideline, as I said before the cracks are starting to show in the ABLP, the judiciary and all the self-enriched serfs. Nice!
The evil TRIPARTITE has been rumbled … 😁
Since, “the system works perfectly,” Asot Michael must be subpoenaed as a witness. This would be the rusty nail in her coffin.
Now if she’s found guilty and exhausts all of her appeals all the way, to the Privy Council how will this affect all of those cases which she sat on the bench and adjudicated.
Let’s hope she’s not found on the end of a rope dangling from a tree like an attorney was recently, in Grenada.
The Business Executive from “@The Sidelines” of a major financial firm. It is true the judiciary doesn’t answer the executive branch of government, but they work hand in hand behind the scenes to get their dirty work done.
Accused of being a crook in his home country; Anthony Armstrong should have been fired but was granted early retirement.
WHERE IS CUTIE BENJAMIN?
Appointment of the Director of Public Prosecutions
(1) The DPP shall, subject to section 87(4) of the Constitution, be appointed by the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission.
I’m telling you; it is extremely hard for me to have intellectual discussions with you guys.
Always making allegations without any proof whatsoever. Please, when making allegations, provide the public with proof. Just like they did in the USA. They provided us with hard proof that some of the Judges of the Supreme Court are in the pockets of the very rich. But not a word from any of you on these revelations. But always bringing down our own people.
And when you compare our system with that of the USA. Our Judges do not owe the politicians any favors, because they are not appointed by them, while in the USA every judge is appointed by the politicians. That is why the judges are either conservatives or liberals. And furthermore, High Court Judges are rotated every year. This is done to avoid they establish any friendship with anyone. Not just politiicians.
You can say all you want to, but you, like everyone else, know what obtains in Antigua under the present gang. We know how close we are to dictatorship when Senior Police Personnel informed citizens, that they follow instructions and not the law, so you, SIDELINER, can continue earning your keep.
When are you going to provide proof of your accusations? Talk is cheap. Remember when you used to tell lies about Sir Lester Bird having an affair with a minor? When you were taken to court none of you came up with any proof. When the police took Joan Underwood in for questioning, she said she heard it from someone. That is why Observer was sued and had to pay Sir Lester $80K in defamation damages. You guys have not learned and continue the spouting of unsupported baseless allegations. As they used to say, ‘talk as you like’. But talk will cost you dearly one day.
Wa dem trouble BRAMBLE fa …. Now look ya 10 disciplinary charges …… she will appear before the JUDICIARY COMMITTEE…
Congratulations BRAMBLE dem can hate you all dem want I TELL PPL SHE BRAMBLE SHE AINT NO DUNCE
SHE???? does that mean that PROSTATE CANCER won’t affect HIM? no PROSTATE for Dr. Baba Thwaites to check on Bramble? HE go to gynacologist instead of urologist?
@Jay who should stay strong? Not the wicked witch of the south? Talllll how much they pay you to type that?
The evil you do lives with you and after you. When you spit into air it would fall back into your face. I have heard too many not so nice things about that person.
I do hope this case is an eye opener for many more legal luminaries like those who adamant supporters of UPP who are foxes but disguise themselves as sheep by wearing sheep’s clothing on our electronic media & in our parliament ….. Question: Does jacket & tie make you man …… hmmmmmm
Here is a lesson charges laid does not mean guilt.
The constitution provides for due process.
If you live long enough you will see they they once were forceful, might, and strong become humbled in the twinkling of an eye.
The GG MUST CALL THE PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO THE AFRICAN SMUGGLING SAGA. LESS THAN 50 REMAINS ON ISLAND AND THEY DID NOT GO THROUGH THE AIRPORT. AFTER THE ST KITTS INCIDENT THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT PUT ANYTHING IN PLACE TO PREVENT REOCCURENCE. THEY ARE TAKING SELFIES IN THE USA. SOME NO PASSPORTS AND CERTAINLY NO VISAS.
More than any other branch of government, the judiciary is built on a foundation of public faith. Judicial misconduct breaks down the very fabric of what is necessary for a functional judiciary/magistracy. Citizens must always believe their judges and magistrates are fair and impartial. The judiciary/magistracy cannot exist without the trust and confidence of the people. Judges and magistrates must, therefore, be accountable to legal and ethical standards and they must be held accountable for their behaviour. This situation is a regrettable one and is certainly not a proud moment for the magistrate.
Was it a “proud moment” for you when you accused the Dominica beauty queen of using your credit card??
Old men like spring chicken but can’t manage the meat
Well well well, mouth open tory drop out
When you’re living in a glass house don’t throw stones
But you fail to say that it shows that the judiciary does regulate itself. And that no one is above the law. They investigated one of their own and took the steps that were warranted. That’s what it means to have faith in the judiciary.
@The Sidelines
The reason why it’s extremely hard for you to have intellectual discussions with us guys.
You are a party hack, with irrational and selfish exchanges that you offer many times far from being rational, and which you consider as intellectual.
Of course it will be hard for you.
First, who ever the responsible; the individual or parties may be; when Anthony Armstrong was accused of fraud in Jamaica why were there no effort to dismiss him? The issue was not about his appointment.
Unfortunately you missed the irony in my question.
Again….WHERE IS CUTIE BENJAMIN ?
Further, you write: “while in the USA every judge is appointed by the politicians”.
As Executive of a major financial company, may I inform you that not all judges in the US are appointed by politicians.
Many judges are elected by the voters. A system of selecting judges that is not available to us in Antigua and Barbuda
anthony armstrong was brought to Antigua by UPP!
Once again you show your ineptness.
The only person or office that can fire the DPP is that of the Legal Services Commission. The same that will fire the magistrate if she is find guilty of the charges laid against her.
The executive cannot do a thing. They can only send in their complaints.
And by the way I wAs talking about the appointment of Federal Judges
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