The return of crime forces the reopening of the second court of immediate trials in Barcelona

The progressive normalization of economic activity in Barcelona After the last wave of the pandemic, it implies the recovery of sectors ranging from hospitality, commerce or tourism, but also some unwanted collateral effects. And it is these front-row actors who have been warning for weeks that crime is once again very active in some hot spots and have just signed a forceful joint petition to demand more resources to unleash court proceedings. The ‘conselleria’, after verifying the rebound in criminal acts after the truce that marked the pandemic, has requested the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia to reopen the second guard court for immediate trials for minor crimes, like theft. The president of the TSJC has already transferred the proposal to the Senior Judge, which is expected to become effective shortly.

The pressure to reopen comes after criminal activity is recovering the pre-pandemic volumesso that trials for minor crimes (less than 400 euros) take up to 100 days to schedule. The Department of the Interior He has been claiming it for some time as well, given that police pressure was not enough.

Change the Penal Code

Recovering the second court for these cases is one of the most pressing demands from sectors of the trade, hospitality and tourismbut more means are also claimed to be able to accelerate the snap judgments (for crimes punishable by imprisonment not exceeding five years), which apply to robberies with violence or when the stolen exceeds 400 euros and the arrest occurs red-handed. At the state level, they also reiterate the request of the modification of the penal code to address the problem of multiple recidivism, which “means that some crimes are not punished as they should be” and are limited to fines. “It is essential and urgent that the administrations and the Justice adopt rapid measures to reduce the serious consequences of insecurity. It is a key issue for economic activity and the citizens of Barcelona and, in fact, of all of Catalonia”, they emphasize.

The public petition addressed to Justice and the ‘president’ of the Generalitat It arrives signed by Foment del Treball, Cercle d’Economia, Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Turisme de Barcelona, ​​Barcelona Comerç, Gremi Restauració, Gremi d’Hotels, Comertia, Barcelona Global, Barcelona Oberta and Associació Passeig de Gràcia. But in parallel, some of those affected had also sent letters claiming that second court to the president of the Provincial Court of Barcelona, ​​the Government Delegate in Catalonia, the Minister of Justice, the Government Delegate in Catalonia, the dean of the Barcelona Courts , the president of the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia and the ‘president’ Aragonès. In this Thursday’s note, they consider that the “police efforts” of Mossos d’Esquadra and Guardia Urbana, with an “increase in troops and arrests”, do not correspond to “the judicial system”.

Data altered by the pandemic

The business group emphasizes that “the law provides that this type of immediate trial be held within 10 days of the commission of the crime.” He regrets that in 2018 “that term became eleven months”, until a second court was created in February 2019. With this tool and given the drop in crime during the pandemic, in mid-2021 the time was reached provided by law. However, by decision of the Ministry of Justice and the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) and prior approval of the Ministry of Justice, in September already that court was abolished not being necessary, despite criticism from unions and lawyers.

The thesis of the merchants is that crimes (theft of watches, mobile phones, theft due to absent-mindedness and others) They have increased, which has once again raised the wait for the hearings to be held up to three months. They also regret that in the case of quick trials the year is exceeded, surpassing ordinary trials.

The data from Justice They corroborate it. Last August the wait for these trials was 14 days, while now it has passed to 90-100 days. At the moment, an arrest of these characteristics is settled with a citation for the end of May. For this reason, on Monday they requested the TSJC to reactivate said court, presenting a report about. The ‘conselleria’ is the one who contributes the human Resources for its funtionability.

The president of the TSJC, Jesús Maria Barrientos, has transferred the activation proposal to the dean judge so that she can submit it to the Sectoral Board of Investigating Judges, is the necessary preliminary step.

citizen concern

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The employers believe that the high rates of crime per inhabitant in Barcelona that reflect the latest reports from the Ministry of the Interior and the fact that the unsafety be the main problem pointed out by citizens in the latest municipal surveys justifies a greater involvement of the Government in the resources to deal with the problem of theft. They emphasize that it not only affects the image of the metropolis and its attraction or not quality tourism, but also to the daily lives of Barcelonans and visitors to the metropolitan area.

One of the entities most involved in this cause is Passeig de Gràcia. Its president, Luís Sans, has been very belligerent on the issue because he is a direct witness to organized crime in this and other central hubs. Luxury shops, hotel exits or car parks are points where many repeat offenders operate, where arrests are “daily, but criminals return to the charge in a matter of hours.” Sans gives as an example the case of a violent robbery of a luxury hotel worker in the middle of a promenade that occurred (and was resolved at the moment) last June, and with a trial date for next summer.