Dramatisation of a courtroom scene at the recent launch of TV Court. - Contributed
FOR THE first time in Jamaica, real court cases will be dramatised on television in an effort to sensitise the public to their civic duty like jury service. The proposed television programme is also aimed at acquainting members of the public with the administration of justice.
Attorney General A.J. Nicholson, said that citizens are in a far better position to interact with fellow citizens if they understand the obligations that they owe to all in the exercise and enjoyment of the rights to which they are entitled.
"Perhaps the most important reason is the authenticity of the programme itself. Not only is the drama to be set in a real courtroom, but its presentation closely parallels the course of a real trial, thus allowing viewers to experience real-life courtroom battles and procedures," said Nicholson at the recent launch of TV Court at the Hilton Kingston Hotel.
TV Court is a half hour drama series in which a judge will preside over and dispense justice in a courtroom.
IN YOUR FACE
The series is meant to present an opportunity for a 'in your face' transmission of knowledge regarding the justice system to citizens through an entertaining format and allows viewers to experience real life courtroom battles.
The programme will be aired on TVJ and is being produced by Laburn Productions with the hope of hitting the airwaves in April.
"The programme is being launched because of the strong public need to know what is happening in the most important public sector of our society at a time when confidence in the system and the society in general is being severely tested," said Glen Bromfield, of Laburn Productions.
"It is the feeling of many Jamaicans that the system lacks transparency and it is for this reason why we think the advent of the TV Court is timely," he added.
According to Bromfield, the launch of TV Court is even timelier with the intense discussions about replacing the United Kingdom-based Privy Council with the Caribbean Court Of Appeal (CCJ) as the region's final appellate court.
"The concept of TV Court is fully endorsed at the highest judicial and ministerial level, and I believe that it will help the media to fulfil its constitutional role as the forth estate, which is to fearlessly and impartially place the activities of the executive, legislature and judiciary under the public microscope," Bromfield said.
