Protection for judges, jurors

Pat Roxborough, Staff Reporter

WESTERN BUREAU:

JAMAICAN JUDGES, jurors and their families are to be given protection from criminals under legislation being considered by the Government.

The legislation - the Justice Protection Act - is being drafted to reflect the CARICOM Regional Justice Protection Programme Agreement that Jamaica signed last year.

The agreement is an effort by CARICOM members to foster regional co-operation by enacting legislation to ensure that justice is not undermined by the intimidation of those working to bring criminals to justice.

"Protection is to be afforded not only to jurors, but also to judicial and legal officers, law enforcement personnel and their families who may come under threat arising directly or indirectly from their duties or obligations in the administration of justice", states an excerpt from the communiqué regarding the proposed legislation.

Concerns for the safety of court officials have long been expressed by the Legal Officers Staff Associ-ation (LOSA), which represents public lawyers and court clerks. To address the problem, LOSA bargained for a security allowance for its members as far back as six years ago. Although the Government rejected that demand, in view of the current threats that Jamaica's public prosecutors get from the criminals they prosecute, LOSA intends to resurrect the claim next March when it negotiates the officers' new wage contract.

"I do not know the prevalence of the threats, but I personally know that it has happened and even once is enough," said LOSA President Marlene Malahoo.

A source told The Sunday Gleaner, however, that the attorneys who faced the greatest danger were the Crown counsels who have to prosecute criminals in the circuit courts.

"The security issue will remain a live one," Miss Malahoo said. "The issue of threats to Crown counsel in prosecuting criminals is a live one that has to be taken very seriously."

The Sunday Gleaner understands that the safety of the building that the public prosecutors has become a concern. However, efforts to discuss the issue of the safety of his staff and the building with Director of Public Prosecutions Kent Pantry proved futile last week.

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