The Editor, Sir:

I have written to the Minister of Justice on the state of courthouses in St. Elizabeth in the following terms:

Dear Minister:

There is currently one existing outstation courthouse in the parish of St Elizabeth whereas there were formerly three outstations. Originally there were four. The situation seems to be as follows:

Balaclava courthouse had to be abandoned. I do not wish to go into the reasons but. I would wish to point out however that I believe it is a waste of taxpayers money to build a magnificent courthouse in Balaclava where it will not be much used.

The magnificent courthouse should be built in Santa Cruz which is the fastest growing township in the parish and the Santa Cruz courthouse is used almost as much as the main courthouse in Black River.

Santa Cruz needs a larger courthouse with provision for officers of the court in the same way that the parish of St Ann has the main courthouse and office in St Ann's Bay and a sub courthouse and office in Brown's Town.

odious Comparisons

Comparisons are odious but it's the one that comes to mind. Why should someone be obliged to travel 20 miles from Santa Cruz to Black River merely to seek some advice from the court officers or to be bailed when one is offered bail at the court at Santa Cruz, bearing in mind that many times the police station does not have a car to transport the accused necessitating him remaining in custody for longer than necessary.

When Hurricane Dean passed near the southern end of the island it dealt a severe blow to the Malvern courthouse and the police station below. On the Tuesday after Dean said hello and passed by, court was called up in what I always believed to be the garage of the Malvern courthouse and police station. On that day the cases for Malvern were transferred by the court administrator and an assistant clerk to the Santa Cruz courthouse for hearing during the following month ... that is September, 2007.

garage-like building

I now understand that court hearings are to resume in Malvern in the same garage-like building which is being used for other purposes. This is unthinkable, How can anyone honestly be of the view that a court can be conducted in a three-sided building which cannot even hold two cars. We ought to respect our courts because a courthouse with suitable judges is the last bastion of a civilised society.

It is my honest opinion that Malvern does not really need a courthouse. For the past seven plus years there has been only one serious crime allegedly committed within the Malvern police area and brought to trial. The preliminary enquiry for the case was heard in the Santa Cruz court.

The vast majority of cases which are heard at the Malvern courthouse originate in police districts far removed from the village of Malvern.

In the days when it was difficult to obtain transportation it might have been necessary to maintain a courthouse in Malvern, but in my opinion only a small police station is needed. A courthouse in Malvern is not necessary and particularly not a three-sided one.

I am, etc.,

VELMA HYLTON Q.C.