▍1.Overview of the system of “Civil Participation in Trials”

The “Civil Participation in Trials” is a process in which the general citizens with no professional knowledge or experience in judicial trial are allowed to participate in trial, hearing, interrogation and, the last part, the formation of final judgment. The participation of citizens in trial can make judicial trial more transparent, and the citizens from different social classes can provide their precious life experience, sense of justice and different personal value directly. The trust of citizens in justice can be enhanced by the participation and interaction of citizens.

▍2.The “Civil Participation in Criminal Trials” launched by the Judicial Yuan

According to the “Draft of the Act of Civil Participation in Criminal Trials” submitted with the letter issued by the Judicial Yuan and the Executive Yuan jointly on April 25, 2018 for the review of the Legislative Yuan, the participation of citizens in the criminal trials is planned to be introduced with respect to major cases involving felony offenses or life-threatening situations. Three professional judges, six “citizen judges” randomly selected, and one to four “alternate citizen judge(s)” will constitute a criminal trial court with participation of citizens, jointly participating in the process of determining culpability and sentencing. Because the legislative term ended in December, 2019, the Bill was reintroduced to the Legislative Yuan for review on March 24, 2020. The Legislative Yuan passed the ''Citizen Judges Act'' on July 22, 2020, and the President promulgated it on August 12 of the same year.

• Release Date : 2020-04-08
• Update : 2021-09-14