Today’s headline “Attorney Hatzmann strikes for better pay” may have amused some. After all, don’t lawyers earn more than enough money as it is? However, the story does not regard commercial tariffs normally charged, but rather compensation the state pays for so-called “pro bono” services on behalf of suspects who cannot afford such.
The importance of this matter should not be overlooked, because everyone who comes into contact with the law is entitled to proper legal representation certainly in civilised countries. It concerns a basic safeguard to protect the rights of individuals against abuse by the authorities.
Mind you, that does not mean equal treatment is always guaranteed. People who can pay for it themselves probably will still have more attention and time dedicated to their situation, but at least those unable to do so are not left completely defenceless.
The problem is that the standard fees of 75 Antillean guilders for spending half a day with a client at the police station and NAf. 900 for an entire court case go back to 1993 and simply don’t suffice. That’s also the opinion of Hatzman’s counterparts in Curaçao and Aruba, where similar protests were held in the recent past.
On top of that, it seems there are arrears of three to four months. One could argue this is actually not a very long time for Government, but people who depend on it as their main source of income would obviously see things a bit differently.
The stand now taken is supported by the St. Maarten Bar Association, which calls it a “very unpleasant situation.” Justice Minister Edson Kirindongo was said to be sympathetic, but so far nothing tangible has been done.
Hopefully the latter will change soon. Otherwise the criminal justice system runs the risk of being bogged down in major delays and other inconveniences, with all possible consequences.
