And this morning as Attorney Dickie Bradley spoke about the challenges in Jasmine Hartin's jury selection, he also took a minute to speak on the concern that all Belizeans should have about the removal of juries from courtrooms depending on the nature of the criminal matter being charged.
He says it's cause for concern among himself and other attorneys-at-law.
Dickie Bradley, Attorney-At-Law
"They rushed. out a law recently to say that there will be no jury in regards to the trial of certain matters which they have listed -we as attorneys we have met and we have discussed that piece of legislation. We are dissatisfied that the government has taken that approach. We believe very strongly that a matter which. predates the constitution of Belize, predates self-government, pre-dates independence, and we have accepted that as a part of our legal system that in serious matters a person. should be tried by a jury of their peers, not just a jury. but a jury of their peers."
"I don't like the law as it stands with regard to the matters of jurors and we have in fact asked that the bar association and the judges and the magistrates hold a meeting with us who are actually in the trenches doing the defence with criminal matters."
"But let me share this with your viewers our law that governs jurors are antiquated and it's colonial. If I am representing you I can only challenge a small number of jurors. It's not like in America, of course, are the other extreme but I don't have the challenge that the prosecution has. The prosecution in this country has an unlimited challenge can you imagine that. They are prosecuting the case so they just look at you and say hmm I object and they don't have to give any reason -we have to welcome the views of those who are looking at our society --picketing against your client in a serious trial and he's on the jury."
No word yet on whether this legislation will be contested.
