INSTITUTIONS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE (FROM CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OF THE USSR, 1979, BY M CHERIF BASSIOUNI AND V M SAVITSKI - SEE NCJ-58384)

• NCJ Number: 58385
• Author(s): V M SAVITSKI
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 42 pages
• Corporate Author: Charles C. Thomas
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS (USSR) HAS A UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM RANGING FROM LOCAL COURTS TO THE NATIONAL SUPREME COURT, ALONG WITH A PROCURATOR'S OFFICE TO OVERSEE THEIR FUNCTIONS.

Abstract

ALL COURTS, INCLUDING MILITARY COURTS, ARE PART OF THIS UNIFIED SYSTEM. PEOPLE'S COURTS, LOCATED IN EACH DISTRICT OF MAJOR CITIES AND IN EACH TOWN IN RURAL AREAS, ARE THE COURTS OF ORIGINAL JURISDICTION FOR MINOR OFFENSES. SERIOUS OFFENSES ARE FIRST HEARD IN THE MID-LEVEL COURTS, WHICH CAN ALSO REVIEW THE DECISIONS OF PEOPLE'S COURTS. THE SUPREME COURT OF EACH REPUBLIC IS GENERALLY THE FINAL LEVEL OF APPEAL. THE SUPREME COURT OF THE USSR IS THE COURT OF ORIGINAL JURISDICTION FOR CASES OF EXTRAORDINARY SERIOUSNESS. IT ALSO OVERSEES THE DECISIONS OF THE OTHER COURTS AND ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR INTERPRETING THE LAW. MILITARY TRIBUNALS ARE UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE MILITARY COLLEGIUM OF THE NATIONAL SUPREME COURT. THE PROCURATOR'S OFFICE INITIATES INVESTIGATIONS, OVERSEES POLICE INVESTIGATIONS, ISSUES SEARCH WARRANTS, PREPARES CASES FOR PROSECUTION, AND OVERSEES THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW. THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE IS IN CHARGE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASPECTS OF THE COURTS; JUDGES' ASSIGNMENTS, TRAINING, AND WORKFLOW. THE POLICE USUALLY HANDLE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS, ALTHOUGH, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OR MILITARY COMMANDERS INVESTIGATE CASES IN THEIR JURISDICTION. THE COLLEGE OF ADVOCATES, WITH AN ELECTED LEADERSHIP, SETS THE STANDARDS FOR ATTORNEYS. FOOTNOTES CONTAIN ADDITIONAL DATA ON THE SOVIET COURT SYSTEM. (GLR)