More efficient case files expected as JCF hires lawyers | RJR News

By Racquel Porter

The Ministry of Justice expects the case files to be carefully built to provide compelling evidence against the accused after the Jamaica Constabulary Force planned to hire 20 lawyers.

So far, 15 positions have been filled.

Attorney General Delroy Chuck said the lawyers would work with prosecutors from the Financial Investigation Division, the Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency and other investigative agencies to effectively manage the flow of cases through the criminal justice system.

“A major challenge facing the criminal justice system is that far too many cases are delayed for extended periods of time due to the failure of investigators to complete the investigation process and secure the relevant evidence to substantiate the charges brought and thus ensure successful prosecution of the accused. In several cases, while there is the essential evidence to take the cases to court, the bottleneck arises in providing the forensic, ballistic and technological reports to complete the case files,” he stressed.

By engaging the JCF's lawyers, the Minister of Justice is insisting that all cases in the Supreme Court, the Arms Court and the District Courts be concluded within three years.