Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2022)

561.   Annoyance in a public place

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    (1)   A person who on any street, highway or public place including a beach, without lawful authority or excuse, the proof of which lies on him or her, molests, harasses, threatens any other person or follows him or her about for the purpose of—

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      (a)     soliciting alms or employment;

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      (b)     satisfying idle curiosity; or

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      (c)     causing annoyance to the person,

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    is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment not exceeding one year.

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    (2)   A sworn statement made by a person about to leave the State, before a magistrate or justice of the peace, taken in the presence of the person accused under such circumstances that he or she had a full opportunity of asking questions either by himself or herself or by counsel of the person who made the statement, and the statement signed by such person, may, if the person who made the statement has left the State, be given in evidence against the person accused on any charge under subsection (1).

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    (3)   It is the duty of the magistrate or justice of the peace before whom any such statement is made, before tendering it for the signature of the person making it, to read it over to the person in the presence of the accused, and to explain the statement to the accused, and upon the statement being signed by the person making it, to certify that the requirements of this section have been complied with.

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    (4)   A statement produced in Court and purporting to be certified under this section shall be prima facie evidence for the purposes of this section of the facts stated in the statement; but the Court may require the attendance of any person present when such statement was taken, for the purpose of examination with respect to the statement.