The trial tier. Under the 2002 Code of Criminal Procedure a juez de la instrucción supervises the investigation and decides on pre-trial measures, while a separate trial court hears the case — a division that replaced the old inquisitorial model. Juzgados de Paz handle small claims, traffic and municipal offences.
How the court is constituted
- Tier
- first instance
- Court type
- Trial courts and justices of the peace
- Jurisdiction
- Civil, commercial and criminal trials, labour and land disputes, and small claims and municipal matters before the Juzgados de Paz.
- Seat
- Santo Domingo
- Composition
- Single judges, or panels of three for serious criminal trials.
- Languages
- Spanish
Where an appeal goes next
Appeal to the Cortes de Apelación.
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