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Are our Judges and Magistrates powerless when it comes to upholding courtroom standards?

Aug 29, 2011 Letters

 
Dear Editor,
I am now a retiree from the Military Force. I have been spending some time in the various court rooms throughout Guyana. Some of my time is being spent in the High Court and the Magistrates Court.
During my time in these court rooms, I have observed total indiscipline by lawyers and John Public. Lawyers wear coloured clothing and are permitted to talk to the court. Lawyers are allowed to carry on conversations at the bar table.
Lawyers tout in the court room, while court is in session and they are allowed to speak on their cell phones while court is in session. Lawyers are allowed to wear sun shades while they are in a court of law.
John Public eats and drinks in court, he speaks on his cell phone while court is in session. He is permitted to wear whatever he wants to wear to court. I have seen John Public reading the news papers in court, while court is in session.
Not so long ago, our previous judges and magistrates upheld court room etiquette. It seems to me that court room etiquette has left with them.
I would like to know, which Judge or Magistrate, today, is prepared to prevent me from wearing my complete beach wear to a court? Which law tells them that they can stop me from wearing what I want to wear in court?
I would like to know which Judge or Magistrate is prepared today to tell me not to talk on my cell phone while court is in session.
Which law gives the Judge or Magistrate the power to stop me from talking on my phone while court is in session?
It is obvious to me that John Public can talk on his phone in the court room, or send a text message to a highly skilled marksman to wipe out the Judge / Magistrate and the Prosecutor, or just cause chaos.
When I am on a plane, I have to take my phone off because the signals interfere with the navigation. I comply. When I visit courts overseas, I have to lodge my cell phone outside of the court and I have to be scanned before I enter the court. I also have to be neatly dressed. I cannot wear a hot colour to an overseas court of law.
This is my question to the judiciary – Are our Judges and Magistrates powerless when it comes to upholding court room standards? Where are we heading with this downfall?
I would really like whoever is in charge of the judiciary to reply to my letter and prove the man wrong who said those who have eyes cannot talk and those who can talk have no eyes. I am certain that the person in charge of the judiciary is a disciplined individual. I am looking forward to a reply.
George O.S. Franklyn

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