27.2 C
Belize City
Thursday, March 28, 2024

World Down Syndrome Day

Photo: Students and staff of Stella Maris...

BPD awards 3 officers with Women Police of the Year

Photo: (l-r) Myrna Pena, Carmella Cacho, and...

Suicide on the rise!

Photo: Iveth Quintanilla, Mental Health Coordinator by Charles...

Courts to resume jury trials

GeneralCourts to resume jury trials

BELIZE CITY, Tues. Feb. 23, 2021.– Last year on March 27, the courts implemented interventions to minimize the spread of COVID-19. In cases where persons had to attend court in person, strict sanitization and social distancing guidelines were enforced. When possible, video conferencing was utilized for bail hearings and adjournments. All jury trials were suspended, and only urgent cases were addressed, with the exception of the Magistrate’s Court, where arraignments have continued to take place and persons are charged daily by the Magistrate.

Almost a year later, the Criminal Division of the Supreme Court has now resumed jury trials on a phased basis, with its first phase commencing today, February 22, 2021.

The plans for the resumption of jury trials began late last year and recently concluded with the retrofitting of the courtrooms, according to the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ COVID-19 safety protocols, to accommodate jurors. This retrofitting includes providing enough space for social distancing and the installation of signage and plexiglass-like dividers for jurors, witnesses, counsel and the accused.

To accommodate the selection of jurors (empaneling), the Supreme Court secured an exemption from the Minister of Health and Wellness to proceed with the process despite the fairly large number of persons who will be in attendance in the courtroom. After a presentation was made of the steps that will be taken to ensure the security and safety of all those who will be present in the court, this exemption was granted. Jurors can be assured that the Supreme Court of Belize will do its best to guarantee that they feel secure and relaxed in the exercise of their civic duty to Belize, a press release from the Supreme Court said.

“We take this opportunity to thank all those persons who contributed to making this step towards the administration of justice in our country possible. We also wish to remind all court users and members of the public to continue wearing masks, washing hands often, and maintaining physical distance,” the press release said.

Check out our other content

World Down Syndrome Day

Suicide on the rise!

Check out other tags:

International