Joint select committee to be set up to examine whether or not jury trials should remain feature of Jamaica’s court system

A joint select committee is to be set up to examine whether or not jury trials should remain a feature of Jamaica’s court system.

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck says the committee will receive recommendations from all stakeholders in the justice sector and the wider public.

The committee will be established following debate and approval of the amendment to the jury act tabled today.

Mr. Chuck says the parliament will be in a better position to make a final and well-informed decision.

In the meantime, an amendment to the Jury Act also seeks to introduce new legislative power for judges.

A judge may discharge the jury and order that the trial be conducted without one, where there is evidence of jury tampering or a possibility of jury tampering.