The justice of the peace, who was this week charged with four counts of breaches under the Forgery Act, is to be suspended.

Portfolio Minister Delroy Chuck made the disclosure in a release from the Ministry of Justice yesterday, noting that arrangements have been made to take possession of the JP’s seal until the matter is ventilated in the courts.

The accused, Donna Crawford, was arrested and charged after police visited her office where it was observed that she was signing passport documents for people with whom she was not familiar.

Yesterday, Chuck urged JPs to refrain from making false declarations.

He said justices of the peace across Jamaica are held in high esteem and are usually described as decent, law-abiding citizens who are to be the watchdogs of the true morals of society.

Now that allegations involving a JP are before the courts, Chuck said it is a timely reminder for JPs to ensure that they desist from signing documents that are deemed false or contains inaccurate information.

“Over the past months I have been urging our justices of the peace to become the ‘conscience’ of the nation, representing honesty and decency, and to be brave, be courageous enough to speak out against corruption, wrongdoing, and illicit activities,” the minister said.

“There are thousands of justices of the peace who continue to abide by the JP Act and the regime, and as such I urge all of you to be the checks and balances against all unlawful acts; you owe it to yourself and the nation,” Chuck continued.

Crawford is to appear in the St Andrew Parish Court on March 13.