In response to public scrutiny and concerns over the decision to make Judge Alone trials permanent in Antigua, spokesman Lionel “Max” Hurst reiterated the government’s stance, citing the fairness and efficiency of this judicial approach.
Hurst’s statement comes amidst a wave of controversy and skepticism regarding the move.
“The fairest method by which a judge-alone trial can be determined is if the appeals court determines that the judge did not rule fairly,” stated Hurst, emphasizing the checks and balances in place to ensure the integrity of Judge-alone trials.
He pointed out that this approach has been successfully implemented in various jurisdictions globally, including within the Caribbean region and internationally.
Hurst addressed the issue of potential biases and emotional influences in jury trials, stating, “With a judge alone trial, you get less of that because the judge is going to be cognizant of the law and any breach of the law.”
He highlighted instances from other jurisdictions where the absence of anonymity in jury trials led to perceived injustices, further supporting the rationale behind adopting Judge Alone trials permanently.
One of the key arguments in defense of this decision is the efficiency it brings to the judicial process.
Hurst explained, “When you have a jury trial, the selection of the jurors, the sitting of the jury, and so on consumes far more time than when it is Judge Alone.” This efficiency, coupled with the establishment of a Public Defenders Office, aims to ensure that justice is not only swift but also accessible to all, regardless of financial status.
While acknowledging the controversy surrounding the move, Hurst emphasized that Judge Alone trials have brought “some sanity to the decision-making” and have served their purpose well in other jurisdictions.
He concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to a fair and efficient justice system, noting that the decision was made after careful consideration of legal principles and international best practices.
