NewsWhore
09-27-2011, 05:50 PM
Today marks the seventh anniversary of the "new" Penal Processes Code, perhaps one of the most controversial pieces of legislation ever passed by Congress. Seen as the Devil's work by some and blessed by others, the Code is widely held to need revision. According to El Caribe, the Code's defenders, who include Servio Tulio Guzman, the vice-president of the Foundation for Institutionalism and Justice (Finjus), do not believe that the increase in crime can be blamed on the code, which outlines procedures for processing criminals. He said that in the process of reforming the penal system there was one entity that was not changed or reformed: the National Police. He said that people needed to understand that the code states that the Justice Department and the Police should no longer accuse people without the evidence, as he alleged had been done in the past. Guzman focused on the creation of the Public Defender, judges who were better qualified and an improved Justice Department.
In the other corner is jurist Vinicio Castillo Seman, a steady critic of the new Code. He describes several articles of the legislation as "weaknesses" that they were changed by the Justice Commission of the Chamber of Deputies. "That the judges have to verify whether a defendant has other cases open and if coercive measures have been issued in these cases, and applying preventive custody would be a strong persuader for those who are recidivists in criminal activities," said Castillo Seman. Others argue that while the Code guarantees the rights of accused criminals, it should also guarantee the rights of the victims and their relatives.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#3)
In the other corner is jurist Vinicio Castillo Seman, a steady critic of the new Code. He describes several articles of the legislation as "weaknesses" that they were changed by the Justice Commission of the Chamber of Deputies. "That the judges have to verify whether a defendant has other cases open and if coercive measures have been issued in these cases, and applying preventive custody would be a strong persuader for those who are recidivists in criminal activities," said Castillo Seman. Others argue that while the Code guarantees the rights of accused criminals, it should also guarantee the rights of the victims and their relatives.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#3)