Flagrancy courts see record number of cases in 2014

November 27^th, 2014 (InsideCostaRica.com) Costa Rica’s flagrancy courts, which prosecute cases against criminals caught in the act of committing an offense, have seen a record number of cases in 2014, even with the year not quite over.

According to a Ministry of Public Security (MSP) press release, the flagrancy courts have seen 257 more cases so far in 2014 than the whole of 2013.  Flagrancy courts processed 6,181 arrests in 2013, while this year the courts have seen 6,438 cases as of November 21^st.

In October, these courts handled 710 cases versus 634 cases during the same month in 2013.

Police officers have made an average of 19 flagrancy arrests every day this year, mostly in the areas of San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago.

The flagrancy courts are specialized courts designed to streamline the judicial process and render quick judgment for criminals caught “red-handed.”  Cases are handled within fifteen days, though many times on the same day.