Ministry of Justice Warns the Public to Demand Official Receipts When Making Payments to Courts’ Islandwide

The Ministry of Justice is again warning unsuspecting members of the public to desist from handing over Court fees, fines or other payments to unauthorized individuals.
The Ministry’s reminder follows media reports that some members of the public, who had gone to the Corporate Area Resident Magistrates’ Court, in Half Way Tree to conduct business, were reportedly fleeced of several thousand dollars.
Prior to the recently highlighted incident the Ministry in an effort primarily geared towards preventing dishonest persons from fleecing members of the public, posted general notices inside the Court precincts, alerting the public to the procedure when paying fines, bail bonds and other fees.
One notice is strategically posted near to the cashier’s window where fees and other payments are made.
The notice warns that when making payments to the Resident Magistrates’ Court Office of Jamaica, in respect of fines, fees, costs or any other payment, members of the public must request a valid receipt from the officer collecting monies.
Individuals should request the receipt if it is not immediately provided. The Receipt should be a Government of Jamaica official receipt. No other receipt should be accepted.
In the meantime the Ministry of Justice has launched a probe into the incident and assures members of the public that its agencies remains committed to providing a safe and comfortable environment for members of the public making payments, and conducting other forms of legitimate business at Court offices island wide.