Some ways to improve the jury selection process

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.

Since a call has been made by the Chief Justice for members of the public to stop avoiding civic duty as jurors, the following should be taken into consideration by the relevant authorities.

A more effective method of jury selection should include removing the number of occasions one can be called to serve.

Prior to selection, prospective jurors should be allowed to indicate the number of occasions they are willing to serve beyond the current stipulation.

When an individual is selected to perform jury service, that person should be required to respond, indicating their willingness and availability to serve.

The selection of jurors should be taken from a larger pool of individuals in order to make up for any shortfall.

The arrangement of restricting members of the public to two opportunities as jurors should be abandoned.

The above suggestions should go a long way to improve the current situation.

– Michael Ray