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Santo Domingo.- The Justice Minister yesterday called some of the recent court rulings, disturbing, noting that a simple read of their content reveals the disorder in the entire criminal justice system.

Francisco Domínguez said certain articles in the rulings could be declared unconstitutional. "What’s worst of all is that citizens perceive that impunity is the rule."

"People can’t believe that you can break the law without facing or assuming the consequences, as this weakens the rule of law of any nation,” the official said, in the wake of court rulings favoring senators Amable Aristy and Felix Bautista, both charged with embezzling hundreds of millions of pesos.

Dominguez, who announced he’ll appeal the recent rulings, also warned that taxpayers’ money cannot be played with, because it’s the result of hard work of a people, or take what’s not theirs, and nothing happens.

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COMMENTS
21 comment(s)
Written by: hernandez5482, 15 Feb 2013 10:29 AM
From: United States, Vivir sin Patria, es lo mismo que vivir sin Honor.
Dominguez,
Ok, I hear you, but can you back the talk with actions. We all know the deficiencies of the justice system. In fact every Dominican knows what’s wrong with our justice system, we don’t need you to state these facts but to take action and right what’s wrong…
Man!!! These stupid officials & politicians, all they do is talk..
Written by: synapse, 15 Feb 2013 11:36 AM
From: United States

Duh ! What a Genius this guy is.
Written by: Adrian29630, 15 Feb 2013 1:09 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Cabrera
Well at least he is appealing the decisions. I don't know what else anyone can expect him to do. Whether it will make a difference is another matter. The judiciary is under the control of the ruling political party who appointed them and no doubt pulls the strings.
Written by: josean, 15 Feb 2013 1:27 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016

Attorney General Dominguez Brito cries Crocodile tears.

When Dr. Guillermo Moreno submitted his first complaint against Narco Lie-onel, for the yet unexplained reason for the Largest Deficit in Dominican History, he dismiss it via a press release………..With extremely Partisan Language about how much he respected Lie-onel, sending a coded message that he would not objectively review evidence against his GOD and PURPLE Party President, thus damaging his own presidential ambitions.

Written by: Ricardolito, 15 Feb 2013 3:21 PM
From: Dominican Republic, calle A.Portes
well I tend to agree that it gives a very strong impression that the justice system is not fair but I will also be interested to see on what grounds he will appeal the decisions
Written by: Adrian29630, 15 Feb 2013 3:51 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Cabrera
Double jeopardy, referred to in the Aristy situation, only applies where the a case has been held, all the evidence produced in open court and the accused found not guilty. In this situation it never got that far. Someone just decided to file the case away and forget about. Double jeopardy as stated by the judge in this case does not apply and in itself should be grounds for an appeal and a change of judge who understands the law. In my opinion!
Written by: Ricardolito, 15 Feb 2013 4:37 PM
From: Dominican Republic, calle A.Portes
Adrian ,,I am at a loss to logically explain Dominican law but if this case was being considered in London double jeopardy most certainly would not apply because it has a very narrow field .I think , only in murder or manslaughter cases .
I think in the USA , the case has to actually go to court and a judgemnet made and I also think that in cases of multiple but similar offences , just because one may have beenheard or in this case considered, it does not mean that there is protection from the other similar offences.
If I am right , as wold be Adrian ,how can this judge get a decision so wrong ,,,or is Dominican law quite unique in the world in such cases
Written by: josean, 15 Feb 2013 5:16 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016


In DR we call it Triple Jepoardy;

Narco Lie-onel 1996-2000>2004-2008>2008-20012!


Written by: Ricardolito, 15 Feb 2013 6:18 PM
From: Dominican Republic, calle A.Portes
Unable to keep to the story so he tries to hijack again with nothing relevant
Written by: josean, 15 Feb 2013 6:23 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016


Nothing "relevant," yet you had to comment!

Written by: RoyStone, 15 Feb 2013 7:20 PM
From: Australia
Corrupt government, corrupt citizenry, corrupt judiciary. So what's the problem?
Written by: Ricardolito, 15 Feb 2013 8:28 PM
From: Dominican Republic, calle A.Portes
RoyS I have been reading certain parts of the law here on double jeopardy ...it is very interesting and actually in the translation uses the words that a person cannot be charged twice ..rather than in all other countries where there has to be a judgement given ..But I still hope there is an appeal just to test the law if for nothing else .
By far the most interesting part of DT is actually doing all the research and to arrive at a position ..just like this case and also the various corruption cases
Written by: Ricardolito, 15 Feb 2013 8:29 PM
From: Dominican Republic, calle A.Portes
Not too sure I like the picture of the scales of justice looking rather evenly balanced
Written by: RoyStone, 15 Feb 2013 8:44 PM
From: Australia
Ricky,

The scales are balance because the blindfold has been removed - how Dominican!

"Since the 15th century, Lady Justice has often been depicted wearing a blindfold. The blindfold represents objectivity, in that justice is or should be meted out objectively, without fear or favour, regardless of identity, money, power, or weakness; blind justice and impartiality."

In Australia there is a lot of controversy over the Double Jeopardy law, which states that if someone is acquitted of a crime in a court of law, they cannot be charged or tried again. The problem arises with new forensic techniques, like DNA testing, new evidence may make a conviction possible when previously not.
Written by: Ricardolito, 16 Feb 2013 8:45 AM
From: Dominican Republic, calle A.Portes
Yes ,,Roy I was aware of the Australian difference and the fact that the DNA testing in some cases has been proved to be wrong , preumably by some human error ..On the other side of the coin the DNA has been used in some countries to release innocent prisoners
Written by: RonEvane This user is banned, 16 Feb 2013 1:10 PM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland

Justice isn't blind or impartial in DR. It revolves around money, power, and whom you know.
Justice for a poor chicken thief isn't the same as an embezzler of public funds.
The former gets 10 years, the latter, impunity.
There is no justice when judged by the corrupt and inept. Such is the life in the DR.!..Horrific!
Written by: josean, 16 Feb 2013 1:15 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016


And that was before Narco Lie-onel took control of ALL the Courts!


Written by: juanb, 16 Feb 2013 3:46 PM
From: Dominican Republic


"What’s worst of all is that citizens perceive that impunity is the rule."

Boy is that wrong.

Citizens know with great certainty that impunity is the rule.
Written by: Perception, 16 Feb 2013 10:38 PM
From: United States
"Never, ever, ever give up".

Churchill.
Written by: Ricardolito, 17 Feb 2013 6:05 PM
From: Dominican Republic, calle A.Portes
LF never took control of all the courts,,maybe you should read DT more closely and see how the latest judges were elected onto their benches
Written by: josean, 17 Feb 2013 6:43 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016

bull shit!


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