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Criticism of Judiciary Justified

The legislature, executive and judiciary make up our three branches of government.  In a democracy each should be scrutinized.  Citizens pay the salaries of the leaders and officers of each branch through taxation.  We have a right to know what they are doing and to question if there is a better way to accomplish common goals.

It is normal for the politicians to be criticized.  We elect them.  We feel entitled to examine what they do in the public sphere.  This issue is different in The Bahamas when it comes to judges, however.

Maintaining the integrity of the judiciary is important.  We have to trust that judges will be fair arbitrators in disputes in order for disputes to be settled in a civil, non-violent manner.  If citizens do not trust judges, the rules of the jungle will prevail.

Words or actions deemed as unfair or unwarranted attacks on the judiciary could be deemed contemptuous, and the court could sanction the one uttering the contempt.

In The Bahamas this limits public criticism of the judiciary.  It, however, should not prevent reasonable and intelligent examination of the actions and decisions of judges.

Read the entire Nassau Guardian editorial by following the link to the original article below.

Posted in Opinions

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