Criminal Code Amendment 2022

What this bill does

This bill makes anti-gang laws permanent in Bermuda's Criminal Code. Currently, these laws about gang activity and enhanced penalties expire periodically and need to be renewed by the Justice Minister - this bill removes those expiration dates so the anti-gang provisions stay in effect permanently.

If passed (voted YES)

• Anti-gang laws become permanent parts of Bermuda's Criminal Code with no expiration dates
• The Justice Minister will no longer need to issue notices every few years to keep these laws active
• Courts will continue to have permanent authority to impose enhanced penalties for gang-related crimes

If rejected (voted NO)

• The current anti-gang laws will expire on December 31, 2022 as scheduled
• The Justice Minister would need to issue another extension notice to keep the anti-gang provisions active beyond 2022
• The temporary nature of these laws would continue, requiring regular renewals

Who it affects

This primarily affects people involved in gang activity who could face prosecution under these laws, as well as law enforcement and courts who use these provisions to address gang-related crimes in Bermuda.