NCJ Number
31192
Date Published
1974
Length
17 pages
Annotation
DESCRIPTION AND EVALUATION OF THE ORGANIZATION, JURISDICTION, AND PRACTICES OF THE INSTITUTION OF COMRADES' COURTS IN THE SOVIET UNION AND OTHER EASTERN-BLOC COUNTRIES.
Abstract
PERSONS WHO COMMIT ANY OF A VARIETY OF PETTY OFFENSES WHICH, BECAUSE OF THEIR INSIGNIFICANCE OR BECAUSE OF THE CHARACTER OF THE ACT COMMITTED, FALL SHORT OF BEING CRIMES MAY BE BROUGHT BEFORE COMRADES' COURTS. THESE ARE INFORMAL NONPROFESSIONAL TRIBUNALS STAFFED BY NEIGHBORS OR FELLOW WORKERS IN HOUSING UNITS, ENTERPRISES OR INSTITUTIONS, COLLECTIVE FARMS, ETC., WITH POWER TO ISSUE WARNINGS, REPRIMANDS, RECOMMENDATIONS OF EVICTION FROM AN APARTMENT OR DEMOTION IN A JOB, FINES UP TO 50 RUBLES, AND TRANSFER TO MENIAL WORK FOR FIFTEEN DAYS. COMRADES' COURTS ARE QUASI-JUDICIAL AGENCIES; THEY ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW ON COURT ORGANIZATION, AND THEIR SANCTIONS ARE TERMED 'MEASURES OF SOCIAL PRESSURE' IN ORDER TO DISTINGUISH THEM BOTH FROM CRIMINAL PUNISHMENT AND FROM ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES. --IN FRENCH