The bulk of criminal litigation in Jamaica takes place in the Parish Courts with little reference to recorded procedures. On Your Feet: Criminal Practice in the Parish Courts in Jamaica, written by a former Clerk of Courts, codifies the largely oral tradition of practice by presenting a guide to the practical day to day realities of the Parish Court system. Incorporating both legislation and the most up to date case law, and buttressed by over 50 sample documents, the entire sweep of criminal practice in the Parish Court is covered. From jurisdiction to file preparation, bail, forfeiture and fingerprintable offences, to committal proceedings, verdict and sentencing, the exhaustive contents make On Your Feet a ready reference and the ideal tool for the Clerk of Court, defence counsel and Parish Court Judge in particular and generally, for just about anyone whose work may take them into the Parish Court.

"This volume," says James Coriden in his introduction, "... allows the reader to reach an accurate understanding of the authentic nature and function of parishes within the Catholic tradition." It describes the origins of parishes and their historical evolution, offers a theology of parish as a local church, links parishes to the church's social teaching and provides a comprehensive overview of their function in Roman Catholic law and their relationship to American civil law." "In clear, nontechnical language, the volume outlines the canonical status of Catholics as parishioners - as well as their rights, duties and forms of assembly and the relationship of parishes to other ecclesial and civil bodies. Ministerial students, clerical and lay ministers, members of parish councils and laypersons generally will find this book an indispensable handbook for living and working within parish communities. Christians of other denominations will make fruitful connections between their own congregational life and Roman Catholic experience."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved