Justice Brian Cottle is of the view that Jury duties are the most important civic duties, “even more important than voting”.
The Judge was addressing Jurors before taking pleas at the High Court arraignment on Tuesday.
Cottle said that some persons may not agree with him, but made it clear that he was only expressing an opinion.
Justice Cottle was firm on the issue of punctuality and attendance, and urged Jurors to arrive at honest decisions on the basis of the evidence presented to the Court.
Eleven persons were listed for the arraignment on Tuesday.
However, several additional cases were traversed from previous sittings, and Justice Angelica Teelucksingh of Trinidad and Tobago is here to assist in reducing the backlog.
Justices Cottle and Teelucksingh will preside simultaneously over the Assizes.
Justice Teelucksingh will take up duties at a new Criminal Court to sit at the Marcole Plaza, Kingstown, while Justice Cottle will continue to preside at the High Court building.