Government to reform plea bargaining system

Another move has been made to reform the plea bargaining system in Jamaica.

On Wednesday, it was announced that Cabinet has approved the issuing of  drafting instructions for the reform of  plea bargain and negotiations under the Criminal Justice, Plea Negotiations and Agreements Act 2005.

At a Jamaica House media briefing, Information Minister Sandrea Falconer said since  amendments to the Act in 2010, only 10 agreements have gone before the court.

"The system has proved to be an effective mechanism for securing  convictions in other jurisdictions and could be an important law enforcement tool in Jamaica.  The latest reform measures include designation of plea judges (and) post sentencing plea negotiations..." she said.