Juries (Amendment) Act, 2006

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No. 22 of 2006

AN ACT TO AMEND THE JURIES ACT.

[Date of Assent - 18^th August. 2006]

Enacted by the Parliament of The Bahamas.

1.(1)

This Act which amend the Juries Act may be cited as the Juries (Amendment) Act, 2006.

Short title and commencement.

(2)

This Act shall come into force on the date appointed by the Minister by notice in the Gazette.

Section 18 of the principal Act is repealed and replaced as follows -

Amendment of section 18 of the principal Act.

"Number of jurors and alternate jurors.

18.(1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (3) of section 28, at every trial the jury shall consist of twelve persons.

(2)Notwithstanding subsection (1), in every trial for murder or treason, the court shall direct that three additional jurors be called and empaneled to sit and serve as alternate jurors.

(3)An alternate juror, in the order in which he is drawn, shall replace any juror who prior to the time the jury renders its verdict, becomes or is found to be unable or disqualified to perform his duties.

(4)Alternate jurors shall be subject to two peremptory challenges by each the prosecution and the accused in the same manner, have the same qualifications, take the same oath and have the same functions, powers, facilities and privileges as the original twelve jurors.

(5)Where a jury retires to consider its verdict and an alternate juror replaces a juror, the jury shall begin to consider its verdict afresh.".

The principal Act is amended by the insertion immediately following section 32 of the following new section -

Insertion of new section 32A into principal Act.

"Employer and employees.

32A.(1) Any employee who is not sworn to serve as a juror remains liable to return to his place of employment until his further attendance at court is required.

(2)Without prejudice to subsection (1), an employer shall not adversely affect the remuneration of an employee by reason only that he has been summoned pursuant to section 10.

(3)An employer shall not dismiss or threaten to dismiss an employee referred to in subsection (2).

(4)Any employer who contravenes subsection (3) shall be liable to a fine not exceeding two thousands dollars.".

Bahamas Numbered Acts

Juries (Amendment) Act, 2006