Justice Minister commits to tackling juror shortage

Charlene Stuart, Senior Gleaner Reporter

The Minister of Justice, Mark Golding says he’s working to fix the chronic juror shortage that some figures in the legal fraternity say has been stalling cases and causing a back log.

According to Golding, a part of the problem is the Voters’ List system used to summon persons to jury duty.

He has asked the Permanent Secretaries in his Ministry and the Ministry of National Security to examine if a better system can be used to identify potential jurors on whom to serve summonses.

Golding says another solution to the problem is reducing the number of offenses that require trial by jury.

He says the Justice Ministry is also hoping to increase the $500 stipend currently paid to jurors.

But Golding says that will have to be done in the next budget year.

charlene.stuart@gleanerjm.com