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The Government's long delay in providing a courthouse in St Thomas was strongly criticised Tuesday by Supreme Court Judge Sarah Thompson-James.
The judge spoke out when several cases from the St Thomas Circuit Court, which were set for trial in the Home Circuit Court, had to be put off because the witnesses were absent.
The Morant Bay courthouse was gutted by fire four years ago. Since then, circuit court cases have been tried in Kingston.
A policewoman told the court that the witnesses had financial hardships travelling into Kingston. The cop said on many occasions she had to provide bus fare and lunch money for witnesses to attend court.
The judge agreed that it was difficult for the police, witnesses and accused persons to travel to Kingston. The judge said the circuit court should be be held in St Thomas and that accused persons ought to be tried by peers from that parish.
Defence lawyers, witnesses and accused persons have complained, on numerous occasions, of the transportation and financial
woes associated with journeying into Kingston to attend court.
In July, the St Thomas Circuit Court session held in Kingston faced a total boycott by defence lawyers who practise in St Thomas. The lawyers protested against the Government's delay in providing a courthouse in the parish.
Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne announced in June 2009 that the ministry would construct a temporary facility to replace the courthouse, which was destroyed by fire in February 2007.
To date, that has not been done.
barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com
The judge spoke out when several cases from the St Thomas Circuit Court, which were set for trial in the Home Circuit Court, had to be put off because the witnesses were absent.
The Morant Bay courthouse was gutted by fire four years ago. Since then, circuit court cases have been tried in Kingston.
A policewoman told the court that the witnesses had financial hardships travelling into Kingston. The cop said on many occasions she had to provide bus fare and lunch money for witnesses to attend court.
The judge agreed that it was difficult for the police, witnesses and accused persons to travel to Kingston. The judge said the circuit court should be be held in St Thomas and that accused persons ought to be tried by peers from that parish.
Defence lawyers, witnesses and accused persons have complained, on numerous occasions, of the transportation and financial
woes associated with journeying into Kingston to attend court.
In July, the St Thomas Circuit Court session held in Kingston faced a total boycott by defence lawyers who practise in St Thomas. The lawyers protested against the Government's delay in providing a courthouse in the parish.
Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne announced in June 2009 that the ministry would construct a temporary facility to replace the courthouse, which was destroyed by fire in February 2007.
To date, that has not been done.
barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com