Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Objectives
As a result of this lesson, the student will be able to:
1) list the types of courts present in the Jamaican court system.
2) diagrammatically reproduce the hierarchical structure of the
Jamaican Court System.
3) appreciate the functions of each court in the court system of
Jamaica.
Important Points
1) The court system is a five tiered system; that is, the system has five
levels.
2) At the lowest tier is the Petty Sessions Court. Appeals from this
court are heard in the circuit court convened in the same parish or
in special cases, at the Appeal Court.
3) Above the petty sessions tier is the Magistrates Court This is an
inferior court of record governed by statute law (as opposed to
common law). The level of sanctions imposed here is lower than
those imposed at the Supreme Court level.
a. Magistrates Courts preside over a range of courts at the
same tier such as the Family Court, the Tax Court, the
Drug Court and the Coroners Court among others.
Key Terms
Challenge Areas
Many argue that commissioned enquiries into cases involving the
government are just for show and a waste of money. In an essay:
1. Give your views on this argument; and
2. Evaluate the usefulness of establishing a permanent but
independent court designed solely to try cases involving the
government and government officials.
Equipment/Materials Needed
Computers, internet access, multimedia projectors; speaker; adobe
flash reader
http://supremecourt.gov.jm/sites/default/files/publications/J
amaican_Court_Structure.pdf
http://www.justis.com/support/faq-courts.aspx (End
Notes reading at the first diagram.)
Expected answers are in colour.
Help students
learn to use tables
as analytical tools.
http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/spring06/watson/index.html
http://www.nlj.gov.jm/?q=jamaican-civics
http://supremecourt.gov.jm/court_structure
Closure
In Class Assignment
1) Tell students to work individually on this next task.
Below is a list of cases brought before courts in Jamaica.
For each of the cases listed:
a. Identify the court that related charges are most likely to
be heard in;
b. Identify this courts level in the hierarchy of Jamaican
courts
1. Petty theft
2. Murder
3. Wounding
4. Rape
5. Having and using an illegal/unlicensed
firearm
6. Constant trespassing (Using someones
home as a shortcut)
7. Child neglect
8. Having unpaid traffic tickets
9. Divorce
10. Child custody
Expected answers:
Type of case Court type and level Jury (yes/no)
Petty theft Resident Magistrates 2nd tier
Court
Supplemental
Out-of-Class Assignment
1) Make a list identifying the names of the persons currently holding
the following offices in your country:
a. Chief Justice
b. Members of the Judicial Committee
c. Director of Public Prosecutions
d. A Senior Puisne judge
e. Two other Puisne Judges
2) Identify the locations of the following courts:
a. Family court
b. Gun court
c. At least two circuit courts
d. The supreme court;
e. The Privy Council
Recommended Materials
http://www.moj.gov.jm/court-locations
http://www.supremecourt.gov.jm/legal_system
http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/spring06/watson/index.html
Bibliography
Brathwaite, S., Reynolds, P. (2004). Social Studies CSEC self study
and Distance Learning. Caribbean Examinations Council
Source:
Figure 22.1
http://supremecourt.gov.jm/sites/default/files/publications/Jamaican_C
ourt_Structure.pdf