KINGSTON, Jamaica — Justice Minister Delroy Chuck on Tuesday tabled amendments to the Jury Act in the House of Representatives that would see the stipend paid to jurors increased from $2,000 to $6,000 daily.

The amendments would also see a $2,000 stipend paid to individuals who participate in the jury selection process.

Further amendments to the Act will see judges being empowered to dismiss a jury where jury-tampering is detected.

Chuck, in a ministerial statement in the House, expressed hope that the Parliament will quickly debate and approve the amendments, in particular those relating to the increase in the stipend paid to jurors, which he noted is long overdue.

The minister explained why a stipend is being introduced for those participating in the jury selection process.

“We felt it necessary to go even further than this to account for persons who are called to jury duty but who are not selected. With the proposal in the Bill, these individuals will now be paid $2,000 for each day that they appear before the court to participate in the jury selection process.

“I must emphasise that the deliberations regarding the proposed increase took into consideration the recognition of the vital role that jurors play in the administration of justice and the personal sacrifice involved in answering the call to serve,” Chuck said.