Bayamón, Puerto Rico. – The prosecutor of the Bayamón Prosecutor’s Office, Gabriel Arredondohe said that “more than 90% of cases” in the Bayamón Prosecutor’s Office are resolved through negotiationwhich accelerates the judicial process. While 13% of cases In the Dominican Republic it is resolved through agreements.
Indicated that if the defendant does not reach an agreement with the Public Ministrythis could be sentenced from six months to 99 years in jail, depending on the crime committed.
The prosecutor emphasized the simplicity of the documents judicial In Puerto Rico. He explained that the “complaint” is the initial public notice of a crime by the police, while the “complaint“It is the document that the prosecutor presents to the court to initiate the process against a person.
In cases of Crimes Serious, an “accusation” is presented, but, surprisingly, this is also a concise document of a single page.
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“We try to make it simple. That a person of a normal intelligence understands what he is accused,” said the prosecutor, showing examples of complaints and accusations, including one of murder, all contained in a single sheet. This brevity seeks to ensure that the accused person clearly understands the charges against him.
Negotiation and transparency in media cases
Arredondo indicated that, given the concern about negotiation in cases of high media profile, especially compared to the Dominican Republic, the negotiation It is a usual practice in Puerto Rico for all kinds of crimes, including sexual assaults and corruption. He stressed that in all agreements the consent of the injured is sought and the relevant authorities are informed.
“If we get carried away by public opinion we cannot work,” he said, although he recognized the importance of transparency and the right of the public to be informed. He stressed that the judge’s figure acts as guarantor that the agreements are fair and proportional to the severity of the crime.
Example of a case of political corruption
As an example of a media case managed through negotiation, the prosecutor recalled the incident of a former Yabucoa former mayor who declared himself guilty of diverting funds To pay a campaign loan.
Although the crime was serious, the former mayor restored the money, he resigned from his position, he was convicted of a less serious crime and lost his professional license. This agreement, according to the prosecutor, “did not cause so much impact” on public opinion because, unlike a case file, it implied tangible consequences and a resolution within the established legal framework.
The prosecutor made it clear that the judicial system of Puerto Ricoalthough it has its peculiarities and challenges, it strives to be efficient, transparent and focused on the practical resolution of conflicts, always under judicial supervision and seeking justice proportional to each case.
