PN Tables Amendments To Bill On Penalties Against Crimes Against Public Officials

Jan 14 2025

‘The Partit Nazzjonalista has consistently emphasized the importance of respecting the uniforms of the nation’s security forces, recognizing their critical law enforcement role and the sacrifices made in service to the country’, the PN highlighted in a statement.

As part of its commitment to this principle, the Partit Nazzjonalista is proposing amendments to the Bill aimed at increasing penalties for violent crimes against public officials.

These amendments, to be presented before the Bills Committee, include:

Restricting Sentence Removal: Anyone convicted of a violent crime against a public official would be barred from requesting the removal of their court sentence from online records for 10 years post-conviction.

Mandatory Community Service: Courts would be empowered to impose mandatory community service orders alongside any sentence. This service could involve assigning the offender to work with the public service entity where the victim was employed.

Probation Transparency: In cases where probation is granted under Article 95 of the Criminal Code, this should be recorded on the offender’s criminal conduct certificate.

These proposals aim to strengthen accountability and promote reformative measures within the legal system.

While supporting the government’s increased penalties for crimes against public officials, the Partit Nazzjonalista points out that these proposals reflect long-standing efforts, including similar measures in Bill 97 (2011) and Bill 25 (2013).

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Unlicensed 19 Year Old Arrested After Caught Driving In Marsa

Jan 14 2025

Yesterday, at around 1515hrs, during routine traffic control in Triq is-Salib tal-Marsa, Marsa, police observed a vehicle overtake traffic and change direction when the driver noted the presence of police.

Officials immediately followed the vehicle, a Range Rover, and signalled to the driver to stop, which the driver eventually did.

Investigations showed that the driver, a 19 year old, did not possess a driving license. It was also confirmed that the driver was breaching Court conditions imposed on him in previous cases.

In the vehicle with the driver were two minors aged 11 and 12. The driver was arrested and the vehicle was confiscated as part of the investigations.

The man is set to be taken to court today at around 1000hrs.

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2,171 Marriages Registered In Malta & Gozo In 2024

Jan 14 2025

According to information tabled in parliament, 2,171 marriages were registered in Malta and Gozo combined in 2024.

Responding to questions tabled by Edward Zammit Lewis, Minister Byron Camilleri revealed that 6,277 marriages were registered in Malta between 2022 and 2024.

Meanwhile, in Gozo, 574 were registered in the same three year period. In Malta, 2022 had the highest amount of registered marriages at 2,249.

In Gozo, 2023 had the highest amount at 208 in a single year.

Meanwhile, the court of Malta saw 734 direct mediations for personal separation between married individuals in 2024. Gozo saw 46 of such cases in the same year.

In a three year period, Malta saw 2,158, whereas Gozo saw 109 in total.

When it comes to contentious personal separations, Malta’s court saw 313 in this three year time frame, with 97 registered last year. Gozo’s court saw 28 in 3 years, with 10 of these taking place last year.

The difference between mediations and contentious personal separation cases lies in the approach to resolving the separation.

Mediation is a collaborative, non-contentious process where both parties work with a neutral mediator to reach mutual agreements on issues like custody and property division, aiming to avoid conflict and court involvement.

On the other hand, contentious separation cases occur when the parties cannot agree and require the court to intervene, leading to a more adversarial and formal legal process to resolve disputes.

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Photo Source: Emma Bauso

3,583,847 Tickets Issued Between 2013 & 2023

Jan 14 2025

The government collected €116,187,254 from traffic fine payments over a 10-year period, according to data presented in parliament by Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri.

Responding to a question by Nationalist MP Ivan Bartolo, the minister revealed that between 2013 and 2023, authorities issued 3,583,847 tickets worth €133,811,122. Of these, 3,287,066 fines were paid, amounting to the total revenue collected.

In 2022 alone, fines issued totalled €16,215,744, more than double the amount recorded in 2013.

The minister also noted that LESA (Local Enforcement System Agency) is actively pursuing unpaid fines, some dating as far back as 2002. To recover outstanding amounts, 241 warrants of seizure have been issued.

#MaltaDaily