Tuesday, 5th November 2024

Court in Grenada fines no-show jurors

Rape case dismissed due to issues with jury

Friday, 29th September 2017

A number of people who were summoned to serve as jurors in Grenada have been fined after they failed to turn up for court selection

Further fines are due to come, according to one official.

“Yes, some were fined and others will be fined for failing to be at the court after they were summoned to serve,” said Christopher Nelson, Director of Public Prosecutions.

WIC News understands that the failure of people to turn up resulted in a rape case being dropped.

This is because a pool of 30 jurors is required by law before jury selection can begin.

According to the Jury Bill 2015, which came into effect in early 2016, people who are summoned can be fined up to $500 if they fail to attend the first sitting of the court and each additional adjournment, or departs from the court “without leave of the judge and without reasonable excuse”.

NOWGrenada reports that other matters beside the rape case were affected by issues with jurors.