DPP laments shortage of jurors

By Racquel Porter 

 

The Director of Public Prosecutions has disclosed that the shortage of jurors to try cases is at the worst it has been in close to a decade.

 

Addressing the opening of the Hilary term of the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston on Monday morning, DPP Paula Llewellyn said reports from Crown counsel in Circuit Courts across the island have revealed that in one parish, only 10 jurors were available to serve. In another parish, there were only 14.

 

While she outlined several reasons contributing to the shortage, the DPP reasoned that part of the issue might stem from "the deterioration of people's awareness of what it means to be a citizen in this country".

 

She said civic pride needs to be engendered through public education, to address the issue. 

 

With the current situation, there could be a further backlog of cases on the trial list, as approximately 85 per cent are jury trials.

 

Stressing that the jury pool needs to be widened, Ms Llewellyn noted that the limited number of jurors now available means only three or four cases can be tried, when ideally, there should be "at least three or four times the number" in each circuit. 

 

High Court Judge, Justice Leighton Pusey, has called for the state to implement a system that will recognise the importance of the jury and encourage citizens to serve.

 

Jurors receive a stipend of $2,000 for each day they are empanelled.

 

If a person is not selected to hear a case, the stipend is not paid, pursuant to the Jury Act.

 

Payments are made electronically via direct deposit as the judiciary seeks to ensure these are done within a timely manner.

 

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck has suggested that the Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) list can be used to select jurors instead of the voter's list, since some people may change their address and would not receive a summons sent to the old location.  

 

Mr. Chuck also admitted that the stipend paid to jurors is low and should be re-examined. He said the Court Administration Division should make a proposal for an increase.

 

Jury trials resumed during the 2022 Easter Term, after being suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.