Criminal Registry

Q: Where is the Criminal Registry Located?

A: The Criminal Registry is located on the ground floors of the Supreme Courts, Port of Spain and San Fernando

Q: Where do I go when I arrive at the Court Building?

A: You are to go to the Criminal Registry to find out which Criminal Court you have been assigned to.

Q. What is bail?

A: Bail is essentially the release from custody of an accused on certain terms/conditions subject to the undertaking to subsequently surrender to custody or attend court to answer a criminal charge at the appointed date, time and place and any other conditions that the court may impose. The accused is usually released to a surety to secure his surrender to custody or in some instances he may be released on signing his own bond.

Q. WHAT IS A SURETY?

A. A surety is a person who agrees to be responsible for the accused by ensuring that the accused follows the conditions for bail and attends court as required. The surety gives an undertaking to pay a sum of money to the court or have his property forfeited if the accused does not comply with the terms of bail. Since the surety's finances and/or property are at stake he acts as a watch dog over the accused to prevent the accused from absconding.

Standing as a surety involves a serious obligation and a prospective surety should be made aware of the responsibilities and consequences if the accused should abscond.

Q: What documents are needed to secure bail?

A: (1) Proof of ownership- e.g Certified copy of deed of Conveyance, Certificate of Title or in the case where a deed of gift is being used a certified copy of the deed of conveyance vesting title in the donor.

(2) Recent Land and Building tax receipt in the name of the proposed surety (showing that the payments are up -to-date) – As any outstanding sums would form a charge on the property

(3) Recent WASA receipt or WASA Clearance Certificate – indicating that there are no arrears as any outstanding sums would form a charge on the property

(4) A valid form of Identification – National Identification Card, Passport, Drivers Permit

(5) Recent Valuation Report – not older than six (6) months.

(6) Extract from Magistrate Court (where applicable)

(7) Letter from mortgage company re balance owed on property and consent (if applicable)

Q: What do I get to take back to my employer as proof of attending court as a juror?

A: An attendance slip is given stating the day (s) on which you attended court. This can be obtained from the Criminal Registry

Q: What is the adjourned date for trial?

A: The adjourned date is the next date on which the matter is scheduled to be heard. The adjourned date is indicated by the presiding Judge at the end of the day's hearing.

Q: When/How do I get compensated for jury service?

A: After the completion of jury service the Juror Information Form is passed to the Accounts Department for processing. A cheque is then prepared and mailed to you.

Q: What can I do if I am served with a jury summons and I am unable to serve?

A: You are required to submit a written application for jury exemption to the Criminal Registry before the day scheduled for jury exemption and you are also required to attend court on the date fixed for the exemptions to secure an exemption. The jury summons that you were served with will indicate the date of hearing for exemption applications and the deadline date for the submission of written applications.

Q: What is the usual period of jury service?

A: The usual period of jury service is one month. If however the trial lasts longer than one month you are required to serve until the end of the trial.