PHILIPSBURG--The Joint Court of Justice has granted the Public Prosecutor's Office permission to proceed to trial with its case against former Minister of Justice and sitting Member of Parliament (MP) Lyndon Lewis.
Lewis announced the ruling in a public statement on Wednesday, October 28, following the hearing on October 6. Permission was sought because he is a sitting Member of Parliament.
Lewis is suspected of abuse of office in connection with alleged conduct in July 2024, when he was still minister of justice. The Court found sufficient grounds for prosecution and rejected objections raised by the defence.
The offence for which Lewis is being prosecuted falls within the categories that can trigger suspension from Parliament under Article 50 of the Constitution of Sint Maarten (Staatsregeling). However, the Court’s October 27, 2026 decision does not itself trigger suspension. Suspension would take effect if the parliamentarian is placed in pretrial detention for a qualifying offence or is sentenced to imprisonment for such an offence.
Lewis said the ruling allows the case to proceed but is not a finding of guilt. “The court’s decision is permission for the case to proceed, not a finding of guilt,” he said.
He said he faces the next stage of the proceedings with confidence and resolve and welcomes the opportunity to respond to the allegations through the judicial process and present his defence.
Lewis also said his commitment to the people of Sint Maarten remains firm and that he will continue focusing on his responsibilities as a Member of Parliament and the work entrusted to him. He thanked those who continue to stand with him and said he would approach the proceedings with dignity, determination and respect for the rule of law.
