Criminal trials in Italy can last years, even
decades. Majority government officials have proposed a law that puts a ceiling
on trials in an effort to ease Italy’s clogged judicial
system.
Currently before the Senate, the draft law imposes a total six-year limit
on crimes carrying a 10-year sentence. The limit covers the three stages of
court cases: the trial, first appeal, and final appeal. However, the limit
would not apply in cases involving repeat offenders or for crimes such as
criminal association or child pornography.
Although Justice minister Angelino Alfano estimates that just 10 percent
of trials that are currently pending would be tabled through the proposed
legislation, prosecutors and magistrates across Italy claim it could shelve
50 percent of trials in process.
According to the Italian Association of Magistrates, about half the
trials pending in Rome, Bologna and Turin, and an estimated 20
to 30 percent of trials in Florence, Naples and Palermo would ‘expire’ if the
law is passed by year’s end, as expected.
