Scott-Mottley wants justice minister to address jury system issues
Published:Tuesday | January 10, 2023 | 9:28 PM
Opposition Spokesperson on Justice Donna Scott-Mottley is calling for the Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck to increase the stipend paid to jurors.
Joining the recent calls from the Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn and other senior members of the judiciary, the opposition spokesperson said that the jury system is now in deep crisis.
READ: DPP wants rejigging of system to fix juror crisis
The stipend for jurors, which is currently $2,000 per day, was last increased in 2015 when Mark Golding was Minister of Justice and has significantly eroded due to inflation, Scott-Mottley charged.
Prior to that, the stipend was $500 per day and had not been adjusted since 1998, she added.
“Coupled with the growing disinterest of citizens in civic activities, the low stipend provided for jurors has put the justice system in a bind. Numerous jury trials, which account for a vast majority of trials in the circuit court across parishes, have been delayed due to a lack of jurors,” said Scott-Mottley.
She noted that while jury duty is a part of civic responsibility, it is still a voluntary service which requires jurors to make the sacrifice of travelling long distances or even taking time off from work to attend trials.
She is therefore calling for the justice minister to act decisively to increase the stipend and not wait on the Court Administration Division to determine whether $2,000 is sufficient.
Additionally, the opposition spokesperson is suggesting that the Minister enlists the assistance of justices of the peace in a campaign to encourage Jamaicans to understand the importance of jury duty.
She is also encouraging Jamaicans who are able to participate in the process to do so.
“The judicial system cannot function without the participation of citizens. Justice depends on you, it depends on all of us,” said Scott-Mottley.
Follow The Gleaner on Twitter and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.