Courts Will Begin
Working Around the Clock
To Combat Crime
The Corte Suprema de
Justicia (Supreme court)
announced earlier this
week that it will bring
to trial criminals
within hours or a week
at the latest to combat
the crime wave that is
overtaking the country.
The decision will mean
that the Sala Tercera
will work around the
clock, including
weekends, to hold
trials.
Crimes like theft of
cellular telephones,
jewellery, purses,
actions against tourists
and damage to vehicles
are all among the crimes
on the list that will be
tried by "vía rápida" -
fast track.
These types of crimes
are classified as "contravenciones".
Crimes classified as "delitos
in fragranti" (crimes
were the criminals are
caught red handed) are
all part of a pilot
program to be hold a
trial as quickly as
possible or immediately
after begin detained.
Magistrate José Manuel
Arroyo, explained that
"in a matter of hours or
days, the matter will be
concluded and resolved
by judicial authorities,
with the outmost respect
for the judicial process
or to the right for the
accused to prepare a
defense".
The decision of the
court is to reduce the
backlog of cases of
contravenciones that has
been accumulating in the
six court districts in
the country.
According to the plan,
the San José, Alajuela,
Heredia, Cartago,
Puntarenas and Limón
circuits will required
at least 18 judges and
10 public defenders each
to handle the additional
hours to operate 24
hours, including
weekends.
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