Justice Minister Delroy Chuck says too many criminal cases are going to trial

August 17, 2026

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck says too many criminal cases are going to trial.

He said the prosecution and the defense should instead use plea bargaining arrangements.

Stakeholders in the justice sector, including defense attorneys, have taken issue with the length of time it is taking for some criminal matters to be tried.

Speaking at the judiciary’s annual strategic management retreat at the AC Hotel in Kingston today, Mr. Chuck noted that in the United States, approximately 90% of all cases are settled through plea bargaining.

He said his ministry will discuss the matter with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in a bid to have cases resolved in a timely manner.

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Mr. Chuck suggested that if criminal cases are not completed within a reasonable time frame, they should be dismissed because of constitutional breaches.

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