8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
1/23
25
* TheauthorisagraduateofUniversidadPedrodeValdiviasSchoolofLawinSantiago,Chile.SheisalsoaFederallyCertiedCourtInterpreterwiththeAdministrativeOceofU.S.CourtsandamemberoftheInternationalAssociationofConferenceInterpreters(AIIC).
25
ChilesRevampedCriminalJustice
SystemKATHERINE KAUFFMAN*
AbsTRAcTWhile much has been written in Spanish, and to a certain extent in English, about the criminal
procedure reforms sweeping Latin America, scant information is available in English that describesthe novel process itself. This paper seeks to provide a general overview of one of the most successful suchreforms in the region, the revamped system of criminal justice in Chile.
bAcKgRoUNd INFoRMATIoN
InDecember2000,Chilesnewcodeofcriminalprocedurecameintoeect.Thenewcodereplacedtheformerwritten,secretandinquisitionalsysteminplacesince1907withanoral,publicandadversarialprocedure.Inadditiontomodifyingbodiesoflaw,thecomplexreformprocessincludedtheinstallationofaseriesofnewinstitutions,includingtheOceofthePublicProsecutor (Ministerio Pblico),theOceoftheCriminalPublicDefender(Defensora Penal Pblica),GuaranteeCourt(Juzgados de Garantaspecialcourtstosafeguardtherightsofthedefendantandthevictimduringtheinvestigationprocess)andOralCriminalTrialCourts(Tribunales Orales de Juicio Penal).Itisimportanttonotethatundertheoldsystem,thetasksofinvestigating,indictingandadjudicatingacriminalcasewereinthehandsofasingleinvestigatingjudgeknownasajuez de instruccin.
The reform was implemented gradually, with dierent geographic regionsphased-inoveraperiodofveyears(20002005).TheprocessconcludedonJune16,2005witharoll-outintheSantiagoMetropolitanRegion,bringingthenewcriminalprocedureintoforceacrosstheentirecountryforthosecrimescommitted
afterthestart-updateineachregion.Underthenewsystem,prosecutorsreplacejudgesastheleadinvestigatorsofcriminalactivity.Followingcaseinitiation,proceedingscommencewithapresent-menthearing,followedbyacomplainthearing,aformalinvestigation,thelingofanaccusation,preparationsfortrialandthetrialitself(inasingle-judgeGuaranteeCourtorbeforeathree-judgepanelinanOralTrialCriminalCourtdependingonthespeciccircumstancesofthecase),averdict,appealstotheAppellateandSupremeCourtsandsentenceimplementationoverseenbytheGuaranteeCourt.Eachofthesephaseswillbedescribedingreaterdetailbelow.
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
2/23
26 [Vol.40
Geo. J. Intl Law: The Summit
Thenewsystemseekstoprovidespeedy,ecient,transparentandimpartialac-cesstojusticewhilerespectingfundamentalhumanrightsandstrikingabalancebetweenthegovernmentscoercivepowerandindividualrightsandliberties.The
newsystemreplacesthenegativefeaturesoftheoldmodelincludingapartialjudgeandslow,inecientproceedingswithnewlegalconceptsdesignedtosafe-guardindividualrightsandlibertiesandsolvecriminalcasespromptly.Thereformisgroundedonaseriesofunderlyingprinciples,1including:
1. Dueprocess;2. Righttodefense;3. Equalitybeforethelaw;
4. Presumptionofinnocence;5. Impartiality;6. Publicaccessandoralproceedingsinallcasesandhearings;7. Eciency(reectedinalternativedisputeresolutionmechanisms);8. Concentration (hearings are conducted in a single session with a
verdictannouncedshortlyafterclosingarguments);9. Confrontation(especiallyofwitnessesviacross-examination);and10. Procedural immediacy(personalcontactbetweenthejudgeandthe
partiesasaprerequisiteforthevalidityofallhearings).
I. THE PARTIcIPANTs
AccordingtoTitleIVofthenewCriminalProceduresCode(CPP),2thepartici-pants(sujetos procesales)inthenewcriminalsystemaretheOceofthePublicPros-ecutor(OPP),OceoftheCriminalPublicDefender(OCPD),thedefendant,victims,criminalcomplainants,lawenforcementandthecourts.3
A. Office of the Public Prosecutor
TheOPPisthecornerstoneofcriminalprosecutioninthenewsystem.Thisautonomous,hierarchicalandconstitutionally-rankedbodyistaskedwith:inves-tigatingcriminalacts;determiningpunishableparticipationoraccreditingthein-
1. AdditionalprinciplesandactionableprovisionsoflawinChilecanbefoundintheU.N.In-ternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights,ratiedbyChilein1999,andtheAmericanConventiononHumanRights(PactofSanJose,CostaRica).
2. ThenewcodeistheCdigo Procesal Penal.Theoldcode,Cdigo de Procedimiento Penal,wasalsoab-breviatedCPP.
3. PursuanttoArticle12oftheCriminalProceduresCode(CPP),theinterveningparties(inter-vinientes)are:theprosecutor,thedefendant,thecriminaldefender,thevictim,andthecriminalcomplainant.Witnessesareconsideredtobethirdparties.Thedistinctionbetweenparticipantsandpartiesisgermanetotheexerciseofcertainrights.
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
3/23
2010] 27
nocenceoftheaccused;exercisingpubliccriminalactionasestablishedbylaw4andadoptingmeasurestoprotectvictimsandwitnesses.5
AlthoughtheOPPissuesdirectorderstolawenforcementduringacriminalinvestigation,undernocircumstancesmaytheOPPhearoradjudicatecases.Anyactionsthatdeprivethedefendantorthirdpartiesoftheexerciseofrightsguar-anteedbytheConstitutionorthatrestrictthoseguaranteesrequirepriorjudicialauthorization(thisincludeswire-taps,liftingofbanksecrecy,etc.).
TheOPPisledbyaNationalProsecutorwhoisresponsibleforoverallleader-shipoftheProsecutorsOceatthenationallevel.TheNationalProsecutorsetsobjectives,policiesandinstitutionalguidelinesandplansfortheOPPintermsofbothpublicprosecutionofcriminalcasesandinstitutionalmanagement.Ad-ministratively,theOPPisdividedintogeographicunitsattheregionalandlocallevels.RegionalProsecutors(Fiscales Regionales)areresponsibleforperformingthedutiesandexercisingthepowersoftheOceofthePublicProsecutorinaspecicregionorgeographicportionofthatregioneitherpersonallyorthroughdeputyprosecutors.DeputyProsecutorsare,inturn,taskedwithdirectingtheinvestiga-tionofthecasesandpressingchargesagainstsuspectsbasedontheinvestigation.Towardthisend,DeputyProsecutors(Fiscales Adjuntos)mayorderotheragencies,inlcudingLawEnforcementandtheMedicalExaminertoengageingivenactions.DeputyProsecutorsarealsoresponsibleforensuringtheprotectionofvictimsandwitnesses and are supported in legal, administrativeand operational aairs byProsecutorialAssistants(Asistentes del Fiscal).6
Inaddition,theOPPisempoweredtoapplyalternativesolutionsingrapplingwith its case load.The options include postponinginvestigationsuntil furtherinformationisavailable,desistingfromaninvestigationonceinitiated,temporarysuspension(deferredadjudication)7ofthechargesagainstadefendantandResti-tutionAgreements8reachedbetweentheperpetratorandthevictim.Mostofthesedecisions,however,requiretheapprovaloftheGuaranteeJudgeandmustmeetspecicapplicabilityprovisions(seebelow).
AnotherimportantfeatureofthenewsystemisthatvictimscanopposetheOPPsuseofitsdiscretionarypowerstodismissacaseduringtheinvestigativephasebylinganindependentcriminalcomplaint(querella),therebyforcingthe
OPPtomoveforwardwiththeinvestigation.Moreover,certainvictimswhohaveledsuchacomplaintcanleanaccusationandcontinueonwiththecasethroughtrialeveniftheOPPdecidesnottopursuethecaseincourt.9
4. AlthoughmostcrimesarepursuablebyOPPprosecutorsattheirowninitiative,somerequirethatacrimereportbeledrst(accin pblica previa instancia particular)whileothers,suchaswritingbadchecks,canonlybeprosecutedviaprivatecriminalcomplaint( accin privada).CPP,arts.54-55.
5. Law19640[OceofthePublicProsecutor],art.1,DiarioOcial,Oct.15,1999(Chile).
6. Id. tit.II.
7. CPP,art.237.
8. Id.art.241.
9. Id.arts.109,111,258.
CHILES JUSTICE SYSTEM
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
4/23
28 [Vol.40
Geo. J. Intl Law: The Summit
Onceincourt,theOPPmayalsorequesttheuseofoneofthreetime-savingalternativetrialprocedures(seeCourtsbelow)toexpeditecaseresolution.
b. Office of the Criminal Public Defender
TheOceoftheCriminalPublicDefender(OCPD)wascreatedbylaw 10in2001andfallsunderthedirectsupervisionofthePresidentthroughtheMinistryofJustice.TheOCPDisledbyaNationalPublicDefenderandcomposedofre-gionalandlocalpublicdefenders,followingastructurequitesimilartothatoftheOPP.11Thedistinguishingfeatureis,however,thatnotallpublicdefendersareem-ployeddirectlybythisoce:someareinfactprivateattorneyswhoseoceshave
participatedinastrictlyregulatedpublictenderprocesstoserveinthiscapacity.12
Thus,bothsetsofdefenders,bothpublic-publicandprivate-publicaretaskedwithprovidingprofessionaldefensetothoseindividualsunderformalinvestiga-tionoraccusedofacriminaloensethatcomesunderthejurisdictionofthenewcriminalprocedure.Specically,publiccriminaldefendersareresponsiblefor:
a) Defending theprocedural rights and liberties of thedefendantand ensuring his/her actual and equitable participation in theproceedings.13b) Representingthedefendantincourt;takingpartineveryjudicial
proceedingandhearingcommencingwiththeinitialactionagainstthedefendantthroughnaljudgment.c) Assisting defendants and informing them of procedures andoptions.
Public defenders areprovided freeofchargefor thosedefendantsunable toaordanattorney(incomeunderUS$200amonth,approximately).Thoseabletopayarechargedonaslidingscale(inpractice,only3%ofalldefendantsrepre-sentedbytheOCPDmakesuchco-payments).
Defendantswhowishtohiretheirownprivateattorneyattheirownexpense
maydoso.
c. Victims
PursuanttoArticle83oftheConstitutionofChile,oneofthethreekeyfunc-tionsoftheOPPistoadoptprotectivemeasuresforvictimsandwitnesses.Thisconstitutionalmandateisnewunderthereformandrepresentsasubstantivede-
10. Law19718[OceofthePublicDefender],DiarioOcial,Mar.10,2001(Chile).
11. Id.tit.II.
12. Id.tits.33,53.
13. Id.art.2.
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
5/23
2010] 29
parturefromtheprevioussysteminwhichsuchindividualswereaordednospe-cialprotectionortreatment.
TheCriminalProceduresCode(CPP)furtherspeciestheprotectivedutiesoftheOPPregardingvictims,statingthatitshallbethedutyofprosecutorsduringtheentireproceduretotakemeasuresorrequestthem,ifapplicable,toprotectvic-timsofcrime;tofacilitatetheirinvolvementintheproceeding,andtoavertorlimittoaminimumanyinconveniencetheymayhavetobearasoftheresultoftheirparticipationinsaidproceedings.14Thesamesectionestablishesthatprosecutorsareboundto:Orderontheirowninitiativeorrequestofthecourt,ifapplicable,measuresaimedattheprotectionofthevictimandhis/herfamilyinthefaceofprobableharassment, threatsor attacks.15ThisprovisionextendstheprotectivedutyoftheOPPtothevictimsfamily.ThelawalsorequirestheOPPtoprovidesimilarprotectionforwitnesses.16
Inbroadterms,suchprotectionisprovidedviatwomechanisms:
1.Prosecutor-orderedprotection
Prosecutorsmayadoptthefollowingmeasuresonbehalfofvictimsorwitnessesontheirowninitiative.Nocourtorderisrequiredasthissetofmeasuresdoesnotimpingeontherightsofthedefendant.Theyinclude:17
a) Periodicroundsbylawenforcement(Carabineros de Chile(uniformed)andPolica de Investigaciones(plainclothesdetectives))atthewitnesshomeorworkplace;b) Prioritytelephonecontactforawitnesswiththepolice;c) Condentialityofdomicileduringtheinvestigationandattrial;d) WitnesssubpoenaandstatementatalocationotherthanthelocalProecutorsOce,whenacceptedbythewitness;e) Arrangingforchangestotelephonenumbersorrequestingaprivatenumberforthewitness;f) Provisionofcellulartelephoneswithemergencynumbers;andg) Provisionofpersonalalarms.
14. CPP,art.78.
15. Id.art.78(b).16. Id.art.308.
17. Id.art.109;see also Gua para la Proteccin de Vctimas de Delitos ,VictmandWitnessProtectionDivision,OceofthePublicProsecutor,Chile.2002.
CHILES JUSTICE SYSTEM
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
6/23
30 [Vol.40
Geo. J. Intl Law: The Summit
2.Court-orderedprotectivemeasures18
Toimplementthesemeasures,prosecutorsmustobtaincourtauthorizationbe-causetheyaecttherightsofparticipantsorthirdpartiesorbecauseitisrequiredbylaw.Keymeasuresinthiscategoryinclude:
d) Interimmeasures,suchas:pretrialcustodyofthedefendantandother restrictive measures of his/her freedom, includingrestrainingorders;19
e) Changeofidentityand/orrelocation,asprovidedforinspecicstatutes;20andf) Condentialityofwitnessidentityduringtrial;
In addition, if petitioned, the court may adopt several protective measureswherethereisreasonablecause.Thesemeasuresinclude:21barringaccessororder-ingtheremovalofspecicindividualsfromthecourtroom;barringaccessbythepublicingeneralororderingtheroomclearedinordertohearspecictestimony;prohibitingtheprosecutor,otherparticipantsandtheirlawyersfromdeliveringin-formationormakingstatementstothemediaduringthecourseofthetrialandtheuseofidentitydistortingmeasures,includingfoldingscreenstoseparatewitnessesfromtherestofthecourtroom,statementsbyclosedcircuittelevision,disguisesandvoicedistortiontechniques.
Specialprovisionsalsopermitchildrentotestifyfromaseparateroomviaclosedcircuittelevision.Inaneorttoreducesecondaryvictimizationandmakechildrenmorecomfortable,theattorneysforthedefenseandtheprosecutionpreparealistofquestionsthatarethenreadtotheminorbythePresidingJudgewhositsintheseparateroomwiththechild.22
WhileU.S.-styledepositionsarenotanoptionintheChileansystem,thenewproceduresdoallowevidencetobeproducedduringpreliminaryhearingstotrialtoensuretheavailabilityofavictimorwitnessstatementattrial,whenthereisafearofthedeathorphysicalormentaldisabilityofthewitnessthatwouldpre-venthimfromappearingattrial.23Procedurally,aspecialhearingisheldpriorto
thetrialinthepresenceofallparticipantsentitledtoattendthetrialtoheartheevidencecontributedbytheprotectedindividual.24Thisevidenceissubsequentlyincludedintheoraltrialbyreadingthestatementfromtherecordofthathearing.25
18. CPPart.308.
19. Id.tit.V4.
20. See, e.g., Law20000[IllegalTrackingofNarcoticandPsychotropicSubstances],art.35,DiarioOcial,Feb.16,2005(Chile).
21. CPPart.292.
22. Id.art.310.
23. Id.art.191.
24. Id.
25. Id.art.331.
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
7/23
2010] 31
Nonetheless,thistechniquehasrunintopracticalsnagsthatmakeitsapplicationratherlessthanwidespread.
d. Criminal Complainant (querellante)26
Asnotedabove,thenewcodeallowsvictimsand,inverylimitedcases,otherinterestedpartiestoleacriminalcomplaintandcarryforwardaprosecutionevenintheabsenceoftheOPP.27ThisfeatureiscarefullyregulatedintheCPP,whichrequiresthatpartieswhotakeadvantageofthisoptionbediligentintheirproceed-ings,complywithalllegaltimelimitsandparticipateincertainhearings,underpenaltyofhavingthecasedismissed.Defendantssoprosecutedmayalsopetitionfordamagesifthecomplainantprovesirresponsibleornegligentinprocessing
theircase.28
E.Law Enforcement
Chilehastwonation-widepoliceforces,theuniformedCarabineros de ChileandtheplainclothesPolicia de Investigaciones de Chile.Bothforcesareconsideredtobeaux-iliaryinstitutionstotheOPPintheinvestigationofcriminalevents.29Bothforcesinvestigatecrimesatthebehestoftheprosecutorsoce,implementcoercivemea-suresasordered,andarerequiredtofollowordersandreporttoprosecutorsontheresultsoftheirinvestigations.30Althoughasageneralrulelawenforcementneedsanorderfromtheprosecutor(orthecourt,asthecasemaybe)totakeaction,of-cerscanperformcertaindutiesattheirowninitiative,31suchas:
1. Aidingvictimsofcrime;2. Arresting perpetrators of in fragranti crimes or individuals with
outstandingarrestwarrantsagainstthem;3. Safeguardingcrimescenes;4. Collectingcrimesceneevidence;5. Identifyingwitnessesandtakinginitialstatements;6. Receivingcrimereportsfromthepublic;and
26. Id.tit.IV7.
27. Id.
28. Id.art.119.
29. Id. tit.IV3.
30. Id. art.80.
31. Id. art.83.
CHILES JUSTICE SYSTEM
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
8/23
32 [Vol.40
Geo. J. Intl Law: The Summit
7. Performingidentitychecks.32
F.
Courts33
Thecourtsoftherstinstancearedividedintotwolevels:
1.GuaranteeCourts
Asageneralrule,GuaranteeCourtjudgesplayaroleakintothatofamagis-tratejudgeintheU.S.federalsystem(seespecicfunctionsbelow).Thesejudgesmayalsohearandadjudicatecasesinvolvinglessercrimes(insimplied,abbrevi-
atedormonitoringproceedings)andapproveorrejectRestitutionAgreements(seebelow).
GuaranteeCourtsarecomposedofoneormorejudgeswhositonsingle-judgebenches,whosemainfunctionsareto:a)grantauthorizationforinvestigativepro-ceduresthatcurtailorotherwiseimpedetheexerciseofconstitutionalrights; 34b)tryandadjudicatecasesundersimplied,abbreviated,ormonitoringprocedures;c) oversee implementation of sentences stemming from guilty verdicts handeddownagainstindividualsdeemedcriminallyliable35andsupervisesecuritymea-suresforthoseinvolvedincriminalactswhoarenotfoundcriminallyliable(i.e.thementallydisturbed)36andd)conducthearingsduringtheinvestigativephaseandresolveancillaryproceedingsthatariseduringthatstage.37
CommonhearingsbeforetheGuaranteeCourtsinclude:
a. Initialappearanceandcomplainthearings.38b. Interimmeasure(medidas cautelares)hearingsduringtheinvestigation,
including pretrial detention39 (and setting time limits for such
32. PursuanttoArticle85,CPPwhentherearesucientgroundstosuggestthatacrimehasjust
beencommitted,isabouttobecommittedorhasjustbeenattempted,amongothercases,lawenforcementmayrequireapersontoproduceavalidformofidentication.PersonswhofailtoproducesuchI.D.canberetainedatapolicestationorotherpublicfacilityforuptoeighthourswhiletheiridentityisveried.Moreover,policecansearchtheperson,theirpersonalpossessionsandvehicleduringthecourseofthespotcheck(evenwhenthepersonproducesvalididentica-tion).Thisformofinvestigativedetentioniscalledacontrol de identidadandthepersonsoretainedisconsideredcontrolada(controlled)ratherthandetenida(arrested).
33. Id. tit.IV1.
34. Id. art.70.
35. Id.art.468.
36. Id. art.458.
37. See e.g., id. arts.71,169.
38. Id. art.95.
39. Id.art.139.
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
9/23
2010] 33
detentionifgranted).40
c. Simplied Procedure:41 Used when the oense involved is amisdemeanor ( falta penal)orlessercrime(delito simple)forwhichthe
OPPhasrequestedaneectivesentenceofnomorethan540daysofprisontime.
d. AbbreviatedProcedure:42MayberequestedbytheProsecutorwhentheperiodofincarcerationhe/shehasproposedisunder5years.ThedefendantmustagreetothisprocedureandacknowledgethefactsasstatedintheaccusationledbytheProsecutor.
e. MonitoringProcedure:43Usedsolelywhentheoensecommittedisamisdemeanorpunishablesolelybyne.
f. RestitutionAgreements:44Thisnowwidely-usedalternativesystemofrestorativejusticeisafurtherinnovationunderthereformandconsists
ofanagreementbetweenthevictimandthedefendantthatbringsthecasetoaclose.TheagreementmustbeapprovedbytheGuaranteeJudgeinapublichearing,withallpartiespresent.Whiletheprosecutorcanvoiceoppositiontotheagreement,theOPPcannotimpedesuchanaccordfrommovingforwardsolongastheGuaranteeJudgendsthatitcomplieswiththelaw.Thisoptionisavailableonlywhenthecaseunderinvestigationinvolvesalegally-availableprotectedinterestofaneconomicnature,lesserinjuryorcrimesofnegligence.Shouldthe perpetrator fail tocomply withthe termsof the agreement,thecasereturnstocourt.
g. Pretrialconferenceondiscoveryandmotions45
.
2.OralCriminalTrialCourts
These courtrooms, known by their Spanish acronym TJOP (Tribu-nal de Juicio Oral en lo Penal), are composed of three professional judges whosit in a collegiate tribunal that hears and conducts the oral trial and ac-quits or convicts the defendant. These courts are primarily responsible for:
a.Hearingandadjudicatingcaseswhereanoensehasbeencommitted,pursuanttotheCriminalProceduresCode.
b.Rulingonanyancillaryproceedingsinitiatedduringtheoraltrial. c. Acquitting or convicting defendants and rendering nal judgment
basedontheevidencepresentedatthetrial.
40. Id. art.157.
41. Id. art.308.
42. Id. art.406.
43. Id.art.392.
44. Id.art.241.
45. Id. art.277.
CHILES JUSTICE SYSTEM
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
10/23
34 [Vol.40
Geo. J. Intl Law: The Summit
Judgeshaveaccesstoasummaryofthecaseandadmissibleevidencepriortotrial(auto de apertura de juicio oral)46butarenotprivytotheparticularsoftheproceed-ingsthattookplacebeforetheGuaranteeCourt.
3.AppellateCourts
ChiledidnotintroducesubstantivechangestoitsappellatecourtstructureortheSupremeCourttoaccommodatethenewcriminalsystem.Newregulationswereintroduced,however,tograpplewiththeneedforadditionalprocedures.Forexample,adjudicationhandeddownbybothGuaranteeCourtsandOralCrimi-nalTrialCourtsisgenerallysubjecttoreviewbyasuperiorcourtviaamotionforrevieworannulment,accordingtospecicprovisionsoflaw.47
Asageneralrule,thedecisionsofGuaranteeCourtsmadeduringoralproceed-ingscannotbeappealed.48However,whentherulingisissuedinwriting,theissuewasnotdebatedinopencourtorwherethedecisionbringstheproceedingtoaclose,makesitimpossibletocontinueorsuspendsitforover30daystherulingcanbechallengedattheAppellateCourt.49AsaresultofaMarch2008modica-tiontothelaw,whentheGuaranteeJudgedeniesaprosecutorsrequestforthedefendanttoberemandedsheremainsincustodyuntiltheAppellateCourtissuesitsruling.Previously,defendantswerereleasedontheirownrecognizancewhilependingappeal.
RulingshandeddownbytheOralTrialCourtsarenotsubjecttoappealbutcanbechallengedthroughamotiontorevieworannul.50PursuanttoArticle373oftheCPP,thetrialand/orthejudgmentcanbedeclarednullandvoid:
a. When rights enshrined inthe Constitution or international treatiesinforceinChilehavebeensubstantivelyviolatedatanystageoftheproceedingsorinthejudgment;or
b. Whenanerroneousapplicationoflawhassubstantivelyaectedtheoutcome.
Inaddition,inkeepingwithArticle374,trialsandjudgmentswillbedeclarednullandvoidincasesofseriousproceduralbreaches(includingrulingshandeddownbycourtslackingjurisdiction,whenthemandatoryminimumnumberof
judgesisnotmet,whereparticipantsrequiredtobepresentwereabsent,whereeectivedefensehasbeenhampered,etc.)ViolationsofArticle373(a)areheardbytheAppellateCourt.ViolationsofArticle373(b)andArticle374areheardbytheSupremeCourt.
46. Id.art.281.
47. Id. arts.352,364.
48. Id. art.370.
49. Id.
50. Id.arts.364,372.
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
11/23
2010] 35
II. THE PRocEss
Theprocedureinvolvesthreestages:aninvestigativephase,anintermediatephaseandatrialphase.
A.Investigative Phase51
Thisstepisadministrativeinnatureandledbytheprosecutorratherthanthecourts.Whileeachinstitutionhasitsownin-houseproceduresandcourtappear-ancesarecarefullyregulated,theocialinvestigativephaseischaracterizedbya
lackofbureaucraticformalityandanabsenceoftherigidstructuresinherenttotheprevioussystemofcriminalprosecution.Forexample,inthepast,allcourtordershadtobeprocessedinwriting,viaocialproceduresandchannels.Today,instructionscanbegivenoverthephone(withanotationmadeinthecaseleorothersubsequentwrittenconrmation),byfax,emailoranyotherchanneltheprosecutordeemsreliable.
1.CaseInitiation:criminalcasescancommenceviathreemechanisms52
1. Crime report:victimsorwitnessesofcrimecanleareportwitheitherofChilestwolawenforcementagencies,53CarabinerosdeChile(uni-formed),PolicadeInvestigacionesdeChile(plainclothesdetectiveforce).
2. Criminal complaint: victims, certain public institutions and, in speciccases,anyresident,canlean independentcriminalcomplaint.Thecomplaintisledandloggedatthecourthouseandthenforwardedbythecourttothelocalprosecutorsoce.Thecriminalcomplaintis
broadlyusedbyvictimsofcrimewhoopposetheprosecutorsdecisionnottopursueaninvestigationintheircase.
3.Attheprosecutorsinitiative(sua sponte):prosecutorscanorderlawen-forcementtocommenceaninvestigationwheninformationcomestotheirattentionthatacrimehasbeencommitted.Thisincludescasesofin fragranticrimesinwhichanarresthasbeenmade.
51. Id. book2,tit.I.
52. Id.art.172.
53. Id.art.173.
CHILES JUSTICE SYSTEM
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
12/23
36 [Vol.40
Geo. J. Intl Law: The Summit
OnceacrimehasbeenreportedtotheOPP,theprosecutorisgenerallyobli-gatedtotakemeasurestodeterminetheevents,theidentityofparticipantsandsoforthwithinareasonabletimeframe.54However,thelawprovidesforthreediscre-
tionarycasemanagementpowers(alternativas a la investigacion)thattheprosecutorcanusetocloseacaseorpostponeinvestigation.Thisprosecutorialdiscretionisdesignedtosaveresources,reducecongestioninthecriminalprosecutionsystemandrespondtotheprinciplesoflegalityandobjectivitycontainedinChilespri-marybodiesoflaw.
Thediscretionarycasemanagementpowersare:
a)Optout(no iniciar la investigacion):55theprosecutormaydecidenottoinitiate an investigation when no investigative actions have beenundertakenand:
i)Thefactsofthecasearenotcriminalinnature,orii)Thestatueoflimitationsontheactshasrunitscourse.
Insuchcases,theprosecutormustjustifytheirdecisionandseekapprovalfromaGuaranteeJudge.
b)Temporaryarchive(archivo provisional):56Theprosecutormaydecidetoarchivethecaseandpostponeinvestigationuntilfurtherinformation
isavailable.Thisoptionisavailabletotheprosecutoriftheinitialin-formationprovidedisinsucienttoallowforinvestigativeactionstobeconductedanduntilsuchatimeastheGuaranteeJudgebecomesinvolvedinacase(forexample,ifawiretaporderisneeded).Atthatpoint,theprosecutorsoptionprecludes.Ifthecrimeinvolvedwouldcarryasentenceofover5yearsand1day,thedecisiontoarchivemustbe approved by the Regional Prosecutor. Victims can oppose thetemporaryarchivebypetitioningforthecasetobereopened,lingacomplaintwiththeOPPorlingacriminalcomplaint.InthelattercasetheOPPisobligatedtomoveforwardwiththeinvestigation.
c) Streamlined procedures ( principio de oportunidad):57 A prosecutor maychoosenot to initiatean investigation orabandon an investigationunderwaywhen:
i) The events involved do not gravely compromise the publicinterest;andii)Thepotentialsentenceisbelow541daysofprison;and
54. See id. art.77.
55. Id.art.168.
56. Id.art.167.
57. Id.art.170.
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
13/23
2010] 37
iii) The crime was not committed by a civil servant in theperformanceofhis/herduties.
Inapplicablesituations,theprosecutornotiestheGuaranteeJudgeofhis/herdecisiontoapplystreamlinedcasemanagementandprovidesthegroundsforsuchachoice.TheJudgethennotiesthepartieswhohave10daystoopposethedeci-sion.Shouldthejudgendthatthecasetheprosecutorisseekingtostreamlinecarriesasentenceofover541daysorinvolvesacivilservantintheperformanceofhis/herduties,thejudgecanreversetheprosecutorsdecisionathisowninitia-tive.58
Afterasecond10-daywindowforcomplaint,criminalactionexpires.Thus,theprosecutormayNOTreopensuchacaseifadditionalinformationsurfacessub-sequently.Thisistheprimarydistinctionbetweentheoptoutandtemporary
archivediscretionarypowers,asthelattertwotechniquesdoallowaprosecutortoreopenacaseatalaterdate.
Lastly,iftheprosecutoropensaninvestigativecasele( una carpeta)andlaterde-cidesthatacaseissimplynotworthpursuing,he/shemustclosethecasepursuanttotheregulationsoncaseclosure.59He/sheisprecludedfromapplyingprosecuto-rialdiscretionforthatpurpose.
2.Initialappearanceorpresentmenthearing(audiencia de control de detencin)60
Incasesofin fragranticrimes,lawenforcementandprosecutorsmustpresentthedetaineebeforeaGuaranteeJudgewithin24hoursofthearrest.Failuretodosowillleadtotheimmediatereleaseofthedefendant,aswillfailuretoappearbyanappropriaterepresentativeoftheProsecutorsOce(DeputyProsecutororPros-ecutorialAssistant).
3.Complainthearing(audiencia de formalizacin de la investigacin)
AccordingtoArticle229oftheCriminalProceduresCode,atthecomplainthearingtheprosecutorcommunicatestothedefendant,inthepresenceoftheGuaranteeJudge,thattheOPPiscurrentlyinvestigatinghim/herwithregardtooneormorespecic crimes.Thedefendantmustbe presentat thishearing.InSpanish,thisphaseiscalledformalizacin de la investigacin orformalizationofthein-vestigation.ThisstagediersfromanarraignmentinthetypicalU.S.procedureinthatthedefendantdoesnotenterapleainChile.Moreover,anadmissionofguiltbyadefendantinChile(reconocimiento de responsabilidad)atanystageinthepro-
58. Id.Thisisoneoftheverylimitedcasesinthenewsysteminwhichthejudgeisempoweredtotaketheinitiativeorordertheprosecutortoproceedinagivenfashion.
59. Id. art.248.
60. Id. art.94.
CHILES JUSTICE SYSTEM
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
14/23
38 [Vol.40
Geo. J. Intl Law: The Summit
ceedingsdoesnotprecludeatrial.Itmay,however,leadtotheuseofanalternativeprocedure(seebelow).
Theformalizationofthecaseatthecomplainthearinghasthreemajoreects:61
1. Thestatuteoflimitationsonthecriminalactionissuspended;62
2. Thestatutorytimeframefortheinvestigationcommences(amaximumoftwoyears);and
3. The prosecutor is barred from using the temporary archivediscretionarycasemanagementtool.
Moreover,atthecomplainthearing(orthereafter),thepartiescanrequestaseriesofadditionalproceduralactions,including:
1. Interimmeasures(reliefofassets,pretrialdetention,etc.)63
2. Alternativedisputeresolutionmeasures64
3. JudgesapprovalofRestitutionAgreements65
4. Reductioninthetimeallottedfortheinvestigation5. Immediatetrial66
6. Simpliedproceeding.67
4.Alternativedisputeresolutionmechanisms68
Duringtheinvestigativephaseandafterthecomplainthearing,theprosecutor,publicdefender,victimand/orcriminalcomplainantcanproposetheuseofnon-traditionaldisputeresolutionmechanisms.ThenewCPPprovidesfortwosuchmechanisms:
1. RestitutionAgreements(acuerdos reparatorios).69Thisoptionisavailableonlywhenthecaseinvolvesalegally-availableprotectedinterestofaneconomicnature(forexample,propertyorassets),minorinjuryor
crimesofnegligence(includingnegligenthomicide).2. Deferredadjudicationortemporarysuspensionoftheproceeding
61. Id.art.233.
62. Thestatuteissuspended,butnotinterrupted.Inotherwords,thetimeremaininginthestatuteoflimitationsresumesiftheprosecutionsubsequentlydecidesnottoproceedwiththecase.
63. Id.art.232.
64. Id.art.245.
65. Id.art.241.
66. Id.art.235.
67. Id.art.390.
68. Id.book2,tit.I6.
69. Id.art.241.
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
15/23
2010] 39
( suspension condicional del procedimiento).70 Adjudication can be deferredforrst-timeoendersforaperiodofbetweenoneandthreeyearsaslongasthetimetobeserved,werethedefendanttobeconvicted,
isunderthreeyears.Thecasewillreturntocourtforprosecutionifthedefendantischargedwithanewcrimeduringtheperiodofthesuspensionorotherwiseviolatestheconditionsofthedeferral.71
5.Closeoftheinvestigation72
TheOPPcancloseacaseatanytimeduringtheinvestigativephase(cappedbylawattwoyears)bycommunicatingthisintenttotheGuaranteeJudge.Within
10days 73 ofthatcommunication, the prosecutormaytakeone ofthreeactions(Article248):
1. Desist (decisin de no perseverar en el procedmiento)74becauseofalackofevidenceonwhichtobaseanaccusation.Inthiscase,theGuarantee
Judgeordersanyexistinginterimmeasuresliftedandthestatuteoflimitationscontinuesitscoursenormally.
2. Request that the case be dismissed with ( sobreseimiento temporal) orwithoutprejudice(sobreseimiento denitivo).75Inthelattercase,thedefensecanopposetheprosecutorsrequestandaskthejudgetoorderthe
casedismissedwithprejudice.
70. Id. art.238.
71. Id. art.239.
72. Id. art.247.
73. Shouldtheprosecutorfailtoclosethecaseasrequiredbylaw,thedefensecanforcethecaseclosedadministratively.Inextremecases,thiscanleadtothedismissalofchargesforthedefen-dantand/ortochargesbroughtagainsttheprosecutorforderelictionofduty.
74. Id.art.248(c).
75. Id. art.248(b).Petitionfordismissalwithprejudice:PursuanttoArticle250oftheCPP,theGuaranteeJudge
grantssuchdismissalwhenclearly:a)nocrimewascommitted;b)thedefendantdidnotcommit the crime; c) there are extenuating circumstances (mental illness, for example);d)criminalliabilityhasbeenexhausted(time-barred);e)whenaneventhassubsequentlytranspiredthatprecludedcriminalresponsibility;f)thematterhasalreadybeentried( res
judicata).TheGuaranteeJudgemaynot,however,orderdismissalwithprejudicewheninter-nationaltreatiesprohibitacrimefrombeingsubjecttoastatuteoflimitationsoramnesty.
Petitionfordismissalwithoutprejudice:PursuanttoArticle252oftheCPP,theGuaranteeJudgeordersdismissalwithoutprejudicewhen:a)aftercommittingthecrime,thedefendantbe-camementallyderanged;b)whenthedefendantfailstoappearandisdeclaredincontempt;
c)whenacivilmatterneedstobedecidedbeforethecriminalcasecanbeheard(forexample,determiningfamilytiestodecidewhetherahomicideisaggravatedonthegroundsofthoseties).Dismissalwithoutprejudiceputsastayontheproceeding.TheGuaranteeJudgecanreopenthecaseattherequestofanyofthepartieswhentheobstacletoproceedinghasbeenremoved.
CHILES JUSTICE SYSTEM
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
16/23
40 [Vol.40
Geo. J. Intl Law: The Summit
3. File a formal accusation:76 should the prosecutor decide to presscharges,heorshemaydosoinwritingororallyinaspecialhearingbeforetheGuaranteeJudge.Criminalcomplainantsmayadhereto
thecharginginstrument.Atthispoint,theJudgewillsetadateforapretrialconference.
6.Theaccusation
Thecharginginstrumentorstatementmustcontain:77
1. Theidentityofthedefendant(s)anddefensecounsel;2. Adescriptionofthefactsofthecaseandtheirlegalattributes;
3. Adescriptionofanymitigatingfactorsinvolvedinthecase;4. Theformofparticipationintheeventsthedefendantischargedwith;5. Adescriptionofapplicablelegalprinciples;6. AnoutlineoftheevidencetheOPPintendstopresentattrialincluding,
asageneralrule,alistofwitnesses(ifapplicable);7. Thesentencerequested;and8. When applicable, a petition to proceed using the Abbreviated
Procedure(thisisthelastchanceforsucharequest).
Theaccusationmayonlyrefertothoseeventsandindividualsincludedinthe
originalcomplaint,althoughthelegalattributesmaybedierent(forexample,thecomplaintdescribedtheeventsasahomicideandtheaccusationdescribesthesameeventsasnegligenthomicide).78
Itisimportanttonote,however,thatshouldtheprosecutoroptnottopresschargesatthisstage(no perseverar),theattorneysforacriminalcomplainantmayleaprivateaccusation(assumingtheyhavebeenpresentthroughoutthepro-cesspursuanttothecorrespondingprovisionsoflaw).Inthiscase,asmentionedabove,preparationsfortrialwouldmoveforwardwithoutthepresenceofthepub-licprosecutor.79
b.Intermediate Phase
Thefundamentalcomponentoftheintermediatephaseisthepretrialconfer-enceondiscoveryandmotionsbeforetheGuaranteeJudge.Within24hoursofthepresentationofthecharginginstrumentbytheprosecutor,theGuaranteeJudgeissuesanorderforapretrialconferencetobeheldinthesubsequent25to35days.80
76. Id.art.93(f).
77. Id. art.259.
78. Id.art.259.
79. Id.art.258.
80. Id.art.260.
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
17/23
2010] 41
Althoughthepretrialconferenceisthelastopportunityforalternativedisputemechanismsandothertrial-avertingprocedures,81asintheU.S.system,thishear-ingfocusesprimarilyonevidentiaryexclusion82andingeneralseekstopavethe
wayforthetrialtoproceeduninterruptedbyancillarymattersorissuesofproce-dure.U.S.-trainedattorneysarelikelytondChilesrulesofevidenceandstipula-tionsquitefamiliar,withargumentscenteredonsuchissuesasfruitofthepoison-oustreeandotheradmissibilitydoctrines.PerhapsthegreatestdierenceisthatChiledoesnot haveaseparatecodeofevidence(althoughthisauthorbelievesthatoneisverymuchneeded)andprovisionsarefoundprimarilyintheCPPand,alternately,inotherbodiesoflaw.
Theresultofthepretrialconferenceisasummaryofthecasecontaining: 83ade-scriptionofthecharges,requestedpenalty,anystipulationsthepartiesmayagreetoandalistofevidencetobesubmitted,includingthenamesofwitnessesandthe
subjectmatterstheywilltestifyto(butnotthecontentofthattestimony).Asnotedabove,thisdocumentisknownasan auto de apertura de juicio oralandistheonlyin-formationonthecasethetrialcourtjudgeswillreceive.
c.Trial Phase
ThetrialisconductedbeforeapanelofthreejudgessittingonanOralCriminalTrialCourt.Aclerkcallsthecourttoorder,thejudgesenterandafteraseriesofadministrativeprocedures(includingverifyingtheidentityofthedefendantandthereadingofthecharges),theattorneysproceedwithopeningremarks.84
Ingeneral,thetrialstructureisverysimilartothatofanyU.S.court,withtheprosecutorcallinghis/herwitnessesrst,cross-examinationbythedefense, 85fol-lowedbythedefensewitnessesandcross-examinationbytheprosecutorand,-nally,closingarguments.Perhapsthebiggestvariationscomeintheuseofobjec-tions,therighttorebuttalandtherightofjudgestoposequestionstowitnessestoclarifytheinformationreceivedondirectandcrossexaminationofevidence.86
Unliketheoldsystem,whichusedahighlyregulatedsystemofevidence(pruebatasada),theCPPspecicallycallsforasystemoffreeorunregulatedevidence
(libertad de prueba).87
Inessence,thismeansthatanyevidencedeclaredadmissibleatthepretrialconferencecanbepresented.Thejudgesassessthevalueofeachwitnessorexpertstestimonyandpresentthatassessmentintheruling. 88Thus,
81. Id.art.271.
82. Id. arts.275-76.
83. Id.art.277.
84. Id.art.325.
85. Id.art.326.
86. Id.
87. Id.art.295.
88. Id. art.342(c).
CHILES JUSTICE SYSTEM
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
18/23
42 [Vol.40
Geo. J. Intl Law: The Summit
statementsinadmissibleinmostU.S.courtsunderhearsayrestrictionsareallowedinChileancourtrooms.
Asageneralrule,onlyevidencesubmittedviaoraltestimonywillbeconsideredbyjudges,withwrittendocumentsservingsolelytosupportthosestatements. 89Forexample,apoliceocerwillhavetotestifyastothecontentsofapolicereportinorderforthatevidencetobeincludedintherecord. 90Thereportitselfisnotsucient.91
Chiledoesnotcurrentlyhaveatranscriptionserviceavailableinitscourtrooms.Instead,audioofallhearingsisrecordedandkeptinanelectronicle.Copiesaremadeavailabletoparticipantsandmaybecitedduringappellateproceedings.92
Immediatelyafterclosingarguments, 93thejudgesdeliberatebeforeannouncinganacquittalorconviction.Ifthetrialhasrunovertwodaysorhasbeenparticu-
larlycomplex,judgesmaydefertheannouncementoftheirdecisionforupto24hours.94Ifthedefendantisfoundguilty,petitionsforclemencyareheard,95adateissetforsentencing(generallywithinvedays) 96andthedefendantisremanded(whenapplicable).
Therulingitself,containing,97inter alia,areviewofthefactsandcircumstancesofthecase,alltheevidencepresented,thelegalandtheoreticalgroundsforthedecision,isdraftedbyoneofthejudgeswhoheardthecase.Asummaryofthisdecisionisreadatthesentencinghearinginopencourt.98
III. sENTENcINg PARAMETERs
Chilessentencingsystemincludesasetofmandatoryparameters(asopposedtoguidelines),supplementedbydiscretionaryassessmentofaggravatingandmiti-gatingcircumstances.Thus,althoughtheprosecutororcriminalcomplainantmayrequestagivenamountofprisontimewithinthemandatoryrange,thejudgesmayincreaseordiminishthesentencebasedontheirreadingofthelegalgroundsforthecase.
89. Onemajorexceptionistheresultofdrugtestsperformedtoascertainthepurityofsubstancesseizedbylawenforcement.Byspecialprovisionoflaw,theseresultsareadmissibleevenifthetechnicianwhoperformedthemdoesnottestifyinopencourt.
90. Id.art.329.
91. Id.art.334.
92. Id.art.41.
93. Id.art.339.
94. Id.art.343.
95. Id.
96. Id.art.344.
97. Id.art.342.
98. Id.art.346.
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
19/23
2010] 43
Crimesareclassiedasserious,lessseriousandminorormisdemeanors,witheachclassicationinturnbrokendownintothreedegrees(grados)orlevels:99
1. Themost seriouscrimes carry asentence of life in prison (withoutparole),whichreplacedthedeathpenaltysomeyearsago.
2. Otherseriouscrimes(crmenes)carrysentencesofbetween5yearsand1dayto20yearsofprison.
3. Othersomewhatlessseriouscrimes(simples delitos)carrysentencesofbetween61daysand5yearsofprisontime.
4. Other minor crimes and certain misdemeanors ( faltas penales) carrysentencesofbetween1and50daysofincarceration.
Thesystemcanbesummarizedasfollows:100
Typeofcrime TotalTime LowerEnd MidRange UpperEnd
Serious 5years+1dayto20years
5years+1dayto10years
10years+1dayto15years
15years+1dayto20years
LessSerious 61daysto5years
61to540days
541daysto3years
3years+1dayto5years
Minor/Misdemeanor
1to60days 1to20days 21to40days 41to60days
Supplementarysentencesincludesuspensionfrompublicservice,bansonexer-cisingcertainprofessions,nes,etc.101
IV. sTATUTEoF LIMITATIoNs102
Theresponsibilityoftheaccusedexpireswhenhepassesaway,hasservedhissentence,receivesamnestyorpardon,ortheforgivenessofthevictim(thelatteronlyforso-calledprivateactioncrimes103)orwhenthestatuteoflimitationshas
runitscourse(Article93,CriminalCode).InChile,the statutecanexpire foreither criminalaction (accin penal)orthe
sentence(pena).
Thestatutoryperiodforcriminalactionbeginstorunonthedateonwhichtheoensewascommitted.104Itisnotablethatiftwoandonehalfyearsormorehave
99. CodigoPenal[CriminalCode],art.21(Chile)(hereafterCP).
100. See id.art.56.
101. Id.art.22-23.
102. Id.book1,tit.IV.
103. See, supra note6.
104. CP.art.95.
CHILES JUSTICE SYSTEM
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
20/23
44 [Vol.40
Geo. J. Intl Law: The Summit
elapsedbetweenthedateofthecommissionoftheoenseandthedateonwhichtheinvestigationbegan,thesanctionismitigatedundercertaincircumstances.105
Thestatutoryperiodisinterruptedwhenapersoncommitsanothercrimeormisdemeanor(interruptioncausesanewstatutoryperiodtorunalloveragain).106Further,Article100oftheCriminalCodeprovidesthatforanyperiodtheof-fenderspendsabroadduringtherunningofthestatuteoflimitations,suchperiodextendstheinitiallimitationsperiodonedayforeverydayspentabroadtoamaxi-mumofveyears.
Speciallimitationsareapplicableforcertaincrimes(suchassexoenses),butasageneralrulethestatutewilllapseandcrimeswillnolongerbeactionableafter:107
a)15yearsoftheoenseforthemostseriouscrimes.b)10yearsforotherseriouscrimes.
c)5yearsforlessseriouscrimes.d)6monthsforminorcrimesandcertainmisdemeanors.Sentencesalsoexpirewithinthesetimeframes,startingonthedateofthecon-
victionorbreach(ifthedefendanthadstartedservinghersentence).108
V. MUTUAL LEgAL AssIsTANcE
Although Chile does not have a single entity responsible for internationalmutualassistanceincriminalmatters,requestshavetraditionallybeenreceived
throughdiplomaticchannels,thatisviatheMinistryofForeignAairs(MFA)orcentralauthoritiesasdesignatedininternationaltreaties.FromtheFMA,theyaredispatchedtothecompetentauthorityonacase-by-casebasis.Currently,however,requestsforsomeformsofassistance(informationandotheraspectsunderpros-ecutorialpurview)canalsobeaddresseddirectlytotheOPP.Thecatchisthatiftheassistancerequestedinvolvesactivitiespriortotheroll-outofthenewproce-duresinSantiago(2005),theOPPmayhavetoremitthepetitiontotheMFAforprocessing.
Ifthematterinvolvesa requestforactionbya court, thepetitionshouldbeaddressedtotheMFAandnottheOPP(theMFAforwardsthepetitiontothe
SupremeCourtwhich,inturn,sendsittotheappropriatecourtofrstinstance).IftherequestisbasedonaninternationaltreatyinwhichaCentralAuthorityisdesignated,itshouldbeaddresseddirectlytothatauthority.Intheabsenceofatreaty,theprinciplesofreciprocityandinternationalcooperationapply.Thatsaid,itisimportanttonotethatundertheoldproceduralsystemtheSupremeCourthasbeenknowntorejectlettersrogatoryforassistanceintheabsenceofatreatywhentherequestisforenforcementmeasures.
105. Id.arts.96,103.
106. Id.art.96.
107. Id.art.94.
108. Id.art.97.
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
21/23
2010] 45
VI. ExTRAdITIoN
PursuanttoArticle440,requestsforpassiveextraditionmustbeaddressedtotheMinistryofForeignAairswhichthenforwardsthemtotheSupremeCourt.TheMFAactssolelyasocialconduit.ThedecisiononthegrantingorrefusaloftheextraditionfallstoaJusticeoftheSupremeCourt,intherstinstance,andtoatribunaloftheSupremeCourtuponappealormotionofannulment.109
Should the requestingstatefail toappoint otherrepresentation, the OPPisresponsibleforrepresentingtheinterestsofthepetitioner 110inallcasesinvolvingeventsafterJune16,2005.TheOPPisrequiredbylawtorespecttheprincipleofobjectivityandmustensureproperapplicationofthelawandbringtolightallevidence,evenifdoingsoisdisadvantageoustothepetitioner.
Atreaty isnot required for extraditiontobegranted.Domestic legislation111
onlyrequiresthattheindividualrequestedbeinChileandbechargedwithacrimepunishablebyatleastoneyearofimprisonment(orhasbeensentencedtothat)inthepetitioningnation.Moreover,ChiledoesnothaveaConstitutionalorlegalstatutethatimpedestheextraditionofitscitizens.Rather,thelaw112setsforththatextraditionshallbegrantedif:
1. Theidentityofthepersonrequestedisproven.2. The crime for which extradition is petitioned is eligible for such
proceedings pursuant to treaties or, in the absence of those, is in
keepingwiththeprinciplesofinternationallaw.3. The background information on the proceedings suggests that inChilethedefendantwouldbechargedasaresultoftheeventsallegedagainst him. Inotherwords, documentation must be submitted toprovidesucientbasisfortheprosecutionofthedefendantinChilehadthecrimebeencommittedthere.
Althoughdomesticlawdoesnotcontaingroundsforrefusal,suchreasonscanbefoundininternationaltreatiesratiedbyChileandgenerallyacknowledgedprinciplesofinternationallaw.SupremeCourtcaselawhasrecognized,among
others, the contents of the Code on Private International Law, known as theBustamanteCodeandtheMontevideoConventiononExtraditionasillustra-tiveofthoseprinciples.Thus,petitionsmayberefusedifthey:113
1. Lack double incrimination. That is,when theevents the individualsubjecttoextraditionisaccusedoffailtoconstituteacrimeinthepetitionedcountry.
109. CPParts.441,450.
110. Id.art.443.
111. Id.art.440.
112. Id.art.449.
113. MontevideoConventiononExtradition,art.3,Dec.26,1933,T.S.882,165L.N.T.S.45.
CHILES JUSTICE SYSTEM
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
22/23
46 [Vol.40
Geo. J. Intl Law: The Summit
2. Are grounded in political or related crimes. The exception is theassassinationoftheHeadofStateoranyotherpersoninapositionofauthority.TerrorismistreatedasacommoncrimeinChileratherthan
apoliticalcrime.3. Intend to secure the defendants appearance before an Ad Hoc
tribunal.4. Involvecrimesofexclusivelymilitaryjurisdiction.5. Involvecrimesnotcurrentlysubjecttoprosecutioninthepetitioning
orthe petitioned Statebecause ofamnesty,pardon,orlapseofthestatuteoflimitations.
6. Involve a person tried and acquitted, convicted and who servedthattime,orifthereisatrialpendingagainstsaidindividualinthepetitioned State for the same events upon which the extradition
requestisgrounded.
8/3/2019 New Criminal System, George Town Journal
23/23
47
Office of the
Public
Prosecutor
(OPP)
Opt Out (decide not to investigate)
Streamlined Procedures
Temporary Archive
Suspect Arrested
Crime Report
Sua Sponte
In flagrante delicto
Complaint Hearing
Investigation
Close of the Investigation
Accusation
Simplified Procedure
Abbreviated Procedure
Alternative ResolutionMechanisms
Dismissal
Case Closed
Interim Measures
Pretrial Conference
Oral Trial
Opening Arguments
Introduction of Evidence
Closing Arguments
Adjudication
Review Options
Acquittal
ConvictionMotion to Annul
Motion to Review
Independent CriminalComplaint
Guarantee Court Discretionary Case Management Tools:
Initial Court AppearanceMonitoring Procedure
Restitution Agreements Deferred Adjudication