Articles
2020in Diário de Notícias This case is not the image of justice in our courts

This case, along with half a dozen others, is certainly not the image of justice in our courts, which pass judgement on thousands of citizens every day.

The excessive media coverage of this case has led to a public discussion of technical issues, usually by individuals with no preparation or experience in this area of law, despite being responsible in the country's public life. These reflections have given justice a very bad image.

The slow pace of proceedings, incomprehensible to ordinary citizens, has created the image of two courts: that of the powerful and that of others. In particular, with the excessive proliferation of procedural incidents. Moreover, the length of a trial, contrary to what has been said, may not benefit the defendants. A conviction in a media trial is all the more painful the later it occurs.

The psychological, physical, family and economic strain that follows serving a sentence is immeasurably greater than serving that sentence immediately after the facts.

The vicissitudes of this process, rather than improving and clarifying the penal system, have revealed the incapacity and inexperience of a politicised legislature, fluctuating according to the winds and occasional interests, contrary to the principle of legislative stability, which is the security of citizens.