Assigned Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Margibi County has sentenced five prospective jurors to 14 days in prison after they refused to serve when summoned by the National Jury Management Office.
The court also ordered the imprisonment of another individual for allegedly impersonating a prospective juror following an investigation into the matter.
The actions were taken on Thursday, August 13, 2026, after Judge Willie accepted several names submitted as prospective jurors for service at the 13th Judicial Circuit Court.
The National Jury Management Office, headed by Cllr. Andrew Nimley, had observed that several individuals summoned for jury service refused to appear and perform their civic duty.
According to the Jury Management Office, refusal to serve without being excused constitutes grounds for punishment under Section 18.6 of Liberia’s Jury Law.
The law provides that a person summoned to serve as a juror is required to perform the service unless legally excused.
It further provides that any person who, without being excused, refuses to serve as a juror may be fined US$100 or its equivalent in Liberian dollars, or sentenced to 14 days in prison, among other penalties provided by law.
Judge Willie’s decision underscores the legal obligation of citizens summoned for jury duty to comply with the requirements of the Jury Law.
The imprisonment of the five prospective jurors comes as the National Jury Management Office continues efforts to ensure compliance with jury service requirements and strengthen the administration of justice.
The separate case involving the individual accused of impersonation followed an investigation by the relevant authorities, resulting in the court ordering the person’s imprisonment.
