Speedy justice

The ruling Law and Justice party came closer to achieving one of its main goals - expedited punishment of criminals - when the so-called "24-hour courts" began operating last week. The program aims to produce a court decision on the sentencing of suspects of petty crimes within 72 hours after the crime has been committed.

Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro emphasized that the system has succeeded in other countries. "I think it will be the same in Poland. I believe in the competence of Polish judges, prosecutors and the police," said Ziobro.

The crimes include drunk driving, insulting public servants, battery and robbery of property worth less than zł.50,000. Moreover, a suspect must be caught in the act of committing the crime or apprehended immediately thereafter, and the legally-mandated punishment for said crime may not be greater than five years in prison. However, judges at such courts are not allowed to sentence criminals to more than two years in jail.

After capturing the suspect, police and the prosecutor have 48 hours in which to gather evidence - including questioning the suspect and witnesses - to formulate the indictment and to hand the case over to the court. Next, within 24 hours, a court must make a decision to pronounce the suspect guilty or innocent, to refer the suspect to normal proceedings, or to decide to hold off on issuing a verdict for no more than 14 days. In this last case, the judge must decide whether to use precautionary measures, such as putting the suspect in temporary detention or to release the suspect. Those convicted have the right to appeal.