Attorney calls for stiffer penalties for middle class who dodge jury duty

 

Attorney-at-law Peter Champagnie, KC, is calling for stiffer penalties for middle-class Jamaicans who ignore jury duty.

 

Speaking Wednesday on TVJ's Smile Jamaica, Mr. Champagnie said the current fine is too low to deter many of the middle class, especially those living in gated communities. 

 

His comments follow an assertion by Chief Justice Bryan Sykes on Sunday that jury duty is increasingly being dodged by the middle class, leaving the working poor to carry the load. 

 

Under the Jury Act, failure to attend jury duty without a valid excuse can result in a fine of up to $10,000, 30 days in prison or community service. If the person fails to complete the service, the penalty can rise to $50,000.

 

Mr. Champagne did not propose a specific increase to the fine. 

 

"There needs to be a graduated system where the fine for a manager for failing to attend jury duty is far significantly higher than that of a factory worker. That concept is not unknown in terms of the legal system, where you have different fines for different categories of offences and class," he argued.

 

He stressed the importance of broader participation from all segments of society, saying this would enhance representation and fairness in the justice system.

 

Mr. Champagnie also suggested a new approach to reach more potential jurors by linking jury summons to the renewal of driver's licences.

 

"In terms of the service of summonses because yes, the Chief Justice is right. In gated communities, they go to serve, they can't even get into the community because of the security post. So perhaps we need to consider having summonses served or attached to when you go to renew your driver's licence or you go to renew your firearm licence, and you are served with it, and therefore you have the avoidance issue being dealt with there," he proposed.

 

He further criticised members of the middle class saying they are often the loudest on matters of justice and politics, yet many do not vote or turn up for jury duty.

 

Meanwhile, Mr. Champagnie again voiced his opposition to any move to abolish jury trials in Jamaica. He argued that jury trials remain essential, particularly in cases involving political figures.

 

"I understand the thinking behind that because when you look at the numbers in terms of the effectiveness of a jury trial versus what they call a bench trial, a judge-alone trial, I can understand that argument but I respectfully disagree and I think that we really need to have the jury system being a part of our system. It's fundamental, it is critical and it is about what we make justice to be. It's the highest form of democracy. An ordinary person is able to say in their community what justice should be," contended the attorney.