Justice Minister blasts judges and justice system

WESTERN BUREAU:

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck says Jamaica's justice system is failing Jamaicans and could be contributing to the high crime rate.

He also took a jab at local judges, blaming them for the protracted delay in settling some cases.

"Let me confess that the criminal justice system is failing Jamaica," said Chuck, while addressing the Ministry of National Security's recent Conference on Citizen Security in Montego Bay. " It has not only failed Jamaica, but it has failed to contribute to the reduction of crime, and the truth be known, the justice system is even contributing to the escalation of crime in Jamaica."

Chuck argued that the reason court cases tend to languish in the court system for months or years is because judges do not seek to resolve those cases in a timely manner.

No criminal

"No criminal case should stay in the court longer than two years, and two years is a long time. There is no reason why cases should not be tried within a few months," said Chuck. "I must start firstly with the judges, as far too many of them are weak in the conduct of their courts. When the prosecutors or defence ask for adjournments, the first question they (judges) ask is, 'what date do you want?' That should not be the first question. The first question should be, 'why can't we try the case today?"

"It is in the Constitution that anyone charged with a criminal offence must be afforded a fair hearing within a reasonable time," continued Chuck. "At the present time, when you look at that Constitutional provision, it is obvious that the constitutional rights of many Jamaicans, who are accused of criminal conduct, are being breached and infringed. They are not getting a fair hearing within a reasonable time." Chuck vowed to do everything in his power to address the flaws that currently exist.