Introduction The purpose of this article is to educate readers on the effect of a repeal on pending criminal trials. I also consider the effect of a repeal on the prescribed sentence of a repealed criminal offence. The end of a criminal statute or an offence creating provision in a statute can be by way … Continue reading The Effect of Legislative Repeals in Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice Spotlight: Reduce Recidivism Ghana
Supporting reintegration, restoring dignity About Reduce Recidivism Ghana: The Reduce Recidivism Project Ghana is a nonprofit initiative focused on supporting the successful reintegration of ex-offenders into society, a crucial but often neglected aspect of criminal justice reform. Founded by Tracy Frimpong in January 2025, the project supports the reformation and reintegration of juveniles in correctional centers … Continue reading Criminal Justice Spotlight: Reduce Recidivism Ghana
What happens after an arrest?
Common to all democratic states, every person is entitled to his right to personal liberty and freedom of movement. This right, just like any other human right, has limits. In article 14(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the right to liberty can be curtailed when a person is suspected to have committed a criminal … Continue reading What happens after an arrest?
Criminal Justice Spotlight: Amnesty International Ghana
Championing the Human Rights of Women Accused of Witches About Amnesty International Ghana: Amnesty International Ghana is the national branch of the global human rights movement, working to protect individuals from abuse and ensure that laws reflect the fundamental values of dignity, equality, and justice. Known for its tireless advocacy and research-based campaigns, Amnesty has … Continue reading Criminal Justice Spotlight: Amnesty International Ghana
Repeat Applications in Criminal Procedure
Repeat applications are recognized and permitted in criminal procedure and are more common with bail applications. What is a repeat application and when can one file same? Adjei, JA eloquently set out the basis for repeat applications in the Court of Appeal case of Paul Larbie & 3 Others v The Republic [2020] Crim.LR 532 (full … Continue reading Repeat Applications in Criminal Procedure
Fynn v. The Republic: Analyzing the Grounds for Bail Pending Appeal
Bail pending appeal is one form of bail in Ghana's criminal jurisprudence; others are bail pending trial and police enquiry bail bond. Although bail is generally dependent on an authority being satisfied that a person will appear when required to, bail pending appeal has special grounds developed from previous decisions, and aptly summarized by Taylor, … Continue reading Fynn v. The Republic: Analyzing the Grounds for Bail Pending Appeal
Filing Criminal Appeals
Every criminal law practitioner, whether prosecuting or defending, may have heard this statement: “Appeals are filed at the registry of the court below”. This may be true for criminal appeals to the Court of Appeal[1] and the Supreme Court.[2] But is this the case for substantive criminal appeals from the Circuit and District Courts to the High … Continue reading Filing Criminal Appeals
Part 2: Prosecutors as Safeguards of Suspects’ Innocence
This is part two of a two-part series on prosecutorial safeguards of suspects' innocence. In the first part of this post, I explained how the criminal justice system is structured to allow prosecutors to safeguard the innocence of suspects. I looked at two stages of the criminal process: arrest, end of investigations and first arraignment. Prosecutorial … Continue reading Part 2: Prosecutors as Safeguards of Suspects’ Innocence
Part 1: Prosecutors as Safeguards of Suspects’ Innocence
A few days ago, an American friend mentioned that she can never be a prosecutor because of the danger of convicting an innocent person. I explained to her that in the common law system, with its specific criminal justice arrangement, there are ways to ensure that innocent persons are set free. Prosecutors have the capacity … Continue reading Part 1: Prosecutors as Safeguards of Suspects’ Innocence
Complainants and the Criminal Justice System
Introduction From the genesis of the modern state, the prosecution of an accused person has been the preserve of the State and not the victim or complainant. This is because crime is considered a wrong or injury against the State as a whole.[1] Thus, complainants have over the centuries played no other role than making a … Continue reading Complainants and the Criminal Justice System
Criminal Law Blog Ghana 