The work of the law courts Ministry of Education B.E.S.T. Bahamas Education School Technology Project P.O. Box N3919 Nassau, Bahamas

Vocabulary The work of the law courts Defendant – someone accused in court of a crime Justices of the Peace (JP)- someone who is appointed by the government to deal with certain legal affairs Constables – rank in the police force Appeals – take to a higher court Jury – a group of people who look at evidence to decide whether or not a person is guilty of a crime

The courts The work of the law courts SUPREME COURT Chief Justices Judges MAGISTRATES’ COURT Magistrates FAMILY ISLAND COURT / COMMISSIONERS’ COURT Family Island Commissioner Justices of the Peace

The courts The work of the law courts When a suspect has been arrested by the police or defence force, he or she is brought before one of the law courts. It is the work of the courts: to settle arguments between citizens to punish criminals.

The courts The work of the law courts Every suspect – or defendant – must be given a fair trial. The Bahamas is a democratic country, and so a person can be punished only when it can be proved that he or she is guilty. There are four different types of court in The Bahamas: Commissioner’s Court, Magistrates Court, Supreme Court and Juvenile Court.

Family Island Courts or the Commissioner’s Court The work of the law courts Family Island Courts or the Commissioner’s Court On the Family Islands, the Commissioner hears minor cases and can act as a judge on these cases. The commissioner is assisted by local justices of the peace, and local constables, who see that law-breakers are brought to the court. More important cases are sent to the Magistrates’ Court in Nassau.

Magistrates’ Court The work of the law courts There are Magistrates’ Courts in Nassau and Freeport. Magistrates are paid officials who judge cases such as traffic and licensing offences, and minor disputes between individual citizens. They may also consider appeals from the Commissioners’ Courts.

Magistrates’ Court The work of the law courts A defendant who is not happy with the judgment of the Commissioner can appeal to the higher court for a second decision on the case. Magistrates may decide to send a case to a higher court, the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court The work of the law courts Cases that cannot be settled in the Magistrates’ Courts are sent on to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is often in the news because it is here that most criminal cases are heard. Lawyers who work in the Magistrates’ Courts may also work in the Supreme Court. In the Supreme Court, cases are heard before a jury of 12 men and women who are all ordinary citizens.

Supreme Court The work of the law courts Anyone who is a registered voter may be called to jury service. The judge tells the jury what is required of them, and explains certain points of the law. The jury must listen to all the evidence during a trial, and decide by a majority of at least eight to four whether or not a defendant is guilty.

Juvenile Court The work of the law courts The Juvenile Court is a special court that deals only with cases involving young people under 18. No one under the age of 18 can be sent to prison. In the Juvenile Court the background of the boy or girl who has committed an offence is considered, and a decision is made on the best way to deal with him or her. Young offenders may be sent to an Industrial School to be given training and special care to try to make sure that they do not break the law again.

Court of Appeal The work of the law courts There is one other court available to Bahamian citizens if they feel that a case has not been dealt with fairly. This is the Court of Appeal, which is in London, England. Here the case is considered by three judges. Any decision made by the Court of Appeal will be the final verdict, and cannot be changed.