Judiciary clarifies arrangements for persons unable to pay fines during traffic ticket public days at the national arena

PRESS RELEASE July 1 4 , 2026 Contact : Mrs. Kadiesh Jarrett - Fletcher Director, Client Services, Communications, & Information Court Administration Division Email : [email protected] Website : www.cad.gov.jm _____________________________________________________________________ JUDICIARY CLARIFIES ARRANGEMENTS FOR PERSONS UNABLE TO PAY FINES DURING TRAFFIC TICKET PUBLIC DAYS AT THE NATIONAL ARENA KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Judiciary of Jamaica notes reports published regarding the temporary holding of persons during the recently staged Traffic Ticket Public Days at the National Arena and wishes to provide clarification on the arrangements that were put in place . Persons who were unable to immediately pay court - imposed fines were temporarily accommodated in a designated changing room at the National Arena while arrangements were being made for their next steps. The changing room included access to bathroom faciliti es so that individuals could attend to their personal needs while awaiting transportation or alternative arrangements. The persons temporarily held in this area were not members of the general public who attended the event, nor were they persons being indiscriminately detained based on outstanding warrants. Rather, they represented the relatively small number of individuals who, after appearing before the court, were unable to pay the fines imposed. I n several instances, persons were afforded time to contact relatives or friends who could assist them with payment of the fines. Where payment could not be made, individuals awaited transportation by the police to the relevant police stations, in accordanc e with established legal procedures. Importantly, the temporary holding area was maintained in a clean and hygienic condition throughout the event. The facility was regularly cleaned, and every effort was made to ensure that persons were treated with dignity and respect while awaiting transpo rtation or the completion of arrangements concerning their fines.

2 | Additionally, a medical team from the Ministry of Health and Wellness was stationed immediately beside the area to ensure that, should any medical need arise, prompt assessment and assistance were readily available. Preliminary data indicates that ten persons were taken into custody on Wednesday , July 8 because they were unable to pay their fines, while six persons were taken into custody on Thursday , July 9, under similar circumstances. The Judiciary notes that these figures are preliminary and that data for both days are still being finalised and collated. It should also be noted that at least one individual taken into custody on Wednesday indicated that he had attended the event prepared to serve the custodial sentence rather than pay the fine imposed. The Traffic Ticket Public Days were designed to provide Jamaicans with an efficient and accessible opportunity to resolve outstanding traffic matters. Thousands of persons attended and were able to settle their cases without incident. The number of individ uals who were ultimately taken into custody represented a very small fraction of the persons served during the exercise. PRELIMINARY DAT A While data entry and reconciliation of the Traffic Ticket Public Days are ongoing, preliminary figures indicate that $97,454,200.00 in fines w ere collected over the two - day exercise at the National Arena. The Judiciary advises that the total number of traffic tickets disposed of, along with other operational statistics, is still being finalised. A comprehensive update on the exercise will be provided upon completion of the data verification and reconciliati on process. The Judiciary remains committed to ensuring that all court operations are conducted in a manner that upholds the rule of law, respects the dignity of every individual, and safeguards the rights and welfare of all persons who come before the courts. For further information, members of the public may contact the Director for Client Services, Communications, & Information Division at the Court Administration Division - 30 -