High Court Judge Calls for Juror Support Amid Financial Constraints
June 4, 2024
High Court judge advocates for provisions to assist jurors facing financial constraints. New juror, unemployed and borrowing bus fare, highlights need for support in serving. Stipend paid at end of service.
A High Court judge wants provisions to be made for jurors who are willing to serve but who may be unable to do so because of financial constraints.
Justice Pamela Beckles made the call yesterday as a new juror indicated he was unemployed and had to borrow bus fare to get to court, but was still willing to serve.
A new cohort of jurors was welcomed to the Supreme Court Complex to serve for the next six weeks. Jurors are paid a stipend but that stipend is usually paid at the end of their stint.
Yesterday, after Justice Beckles had dealt with requests for excusals from service, one of the jurors revealed he was unemployed and was dependent on public transportation and had no bus fare to get from his home to court.
