JPs seek AG’s help

The JPs are also calling for an increase in stipends, distribution of special JP stickers, training sessions, paper committal evidence and the authority to perform marriages.

JOPATT president Daniel Bisnath revealed that at present, JPs receive a stipend of ten dollars a day for an average of $300 a month and added that this figure should be increased to $5,000 per month.

“It is unfair for us to receive $300 when we are on call 24 hours, seven days a week. We are always in demand by the police to grant bail to accused persons, to witness cautionary statements and to oversee identification parades,” Bisnath said.

Bisnath also suggested that a central headquarters be established.

“If and when a JP finds himself or herself in a problem in fixing bail for an accused he or she can contact the Central office and have the secretary carry out the necessary checks via a database.

In this way, the JP would be accurately advised or made aware of such people so they (the JPs) can avoid or refuse taking away bail,” Bisnath said.

JP Daniel Baboolal also called on paper committal evidence where a JP would not have to go to the court but would be able to write a statement to submit into evidence in the respective matter.

“So many times, we waste time going to court, sometimes five, six or even 22 times a day and then we are not even called to the witness box. To avoid all of this we are calling for a paper committal evidence,” Baboolal said.

JP Bissoon Birsingh also called on special treatment for JPs.

“On a daily basis we have to go through all kind of stress in relation to confrontations with police officers, having our vehicles wrecked outside the courts because there are no parking arrangements. We are asking for special stickers and parking spaces at the police stations, prisons, courts and other places where we execute our duties,” Birsingh said.

The JPs said that they sent several letters to the Attorney General’s Office listing their concerns and claimed that up to yesterday, they have gotten no response.