Clifford Buddan granted $9,000 bail pending appeal hearing on gun conviction

Published by BBNTEAM at June 16, 2025

Posted: Monday, June 16, 2025. 4:16 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: High Court Justice Candace Nanton has granted bail to Clifford Buddan, who was recently convicted on charges of keeping a firearm and ammunition. The bail, set at $9,000, comes as Buddan awaits the resolution of his appeal, which could take anywhere from a month to several years to be heard.

During the court proceedings, Buddan’s attorney, Hurl Hamilton, presented a compelling case for bail, highlighting that they had filed a notice of appeal regarding both his conviction and the sentence imposed by the Belmopan Magistrate’s Court. Initially sentenced to two years at the Kolbe Foundation after pleading guilty to the charges, Buddan’s legal team argued that he should not remain incarcerated while waiting for the appeal process to unfold.

Justice Nanton laid out several conditions for Buddan’s bail. He must regularly attend all scheduled court hearings, report weekly to the Belmopan Police Station, and refrain from contacting the complainant or any witnesses in the case. Additionally, Buddan will need to surrender his travel documents and is prohibited from leaving the jurisdiction without court approval.

Hamilton pointed out that the trial magistrate’s failure to provide a rationale for the sentencing was a critical oversight that could impact Buddan’s chances on appeal. He argued that keeping Buddan in jail while awaiting the appeal could lead to an unjust situation, as he might serve a substantial portion of his sentence without a fair hearing.

In her ruling, Justice Nanton recognized that the lack of a detailed explanation for the magistrate’s sentencing, coupled with the absence of a complete transcript of the case, justified granting bail. She highlighted that such factors warranted consideration, especially given that Buddan’s rights to legal representation and a thorough sentencing hearing were not adequately addressed during the trial.

Although Buddan has been granted bail, he remains in custody for now and is expected to post bail within the coming days.

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