Department of Public Prosecutions
Attorney General, Office of the
242 - 326-1620
242 - 356-9277

Contacts
Bernard Turner, Director of Public Prosecutions
3rd Floor Post Office Building
P. O. Box N 3007
Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas

    Areas of Responsibilities
    Criminal Proceedings;
    Legal Aid

THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS

This Department is headed by Mr. Bernard S. A. Turner, Director of Public Prosecutions Mrs. Cheryl L. Bethell is the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions and the Department has a complement of twenty one (21) Counsel and Attorneys-at-Law. The Department of Public Prosecutions is the division of the office of the Attorney General that has been authorized by the Attorney General to assume responsibility for the execution of the Attorney General's constitutional and legal responsibility for the commencement and cessation of criminal prosecutions in The Bahamas.

The scope and function of this Department is extensive and include the following:

PROSECUTIONS

The Department of Public Prosecutions is responsible for the prosecution of all criminal matters before the Supreme Court and the general oversight of Magisterial prosecutions.

APPEALS

The Department of Public Prosecutions appears on behalf of Crown in all criminal appeals which may include:

(b) Appeals from the Supreme Court to the Court of Appeal

(c) Appeals from the Court of Appeal to the Privy Council

CONSTITUTIONAL AND JUDICIAL REVIEW APPLICATIONS

The Department of Public Prosecution appears on behalf of the Crown in all constitutional and judicial review applications relating to criminal matters


EXTRADITION PROCEEDINGS

The Department of Public Prosecutions represents requesting territories in accordance with various extradition treaties between The Bahamas and foreign states.


MONEY LAUNDERING MATTERS

The Department of Public Prosecutions is responsible for overseeing Money Laundering Prosecutions pursuant to Proceeds of Crime Act 2000.

FIAT REQUESTS

The Department of Public Prosecutions is responsible for advising the Attorney General on the issuance of Fiats consenting to certain prosecutions.

POLICE ADVICE

The Department of Public Prosecutions reviews and advises the Police in relation to ongoing investigation in a range of cases.

ADMINISTRATION

Mrs. Jacquelyn Murray, Permanent Secretary is responsible for the overall administration of the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice.

The Permanent Secretary along with her administrators work in collaboration with the various Heads of Departments, and Registrars to effectively manage the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice.