The case that charged Venezuelan Karla Moya Boada of irregularly practicing medicine in the Dominican Republic could continue in the judiciary if the case is moved to the Supreme Court of Justice. The question is who will present the case to the Supreme Court of Justice?
Journalist Nuria Piera had presented evidence on her investigative journalism program that the Venezuelan was not a graduate of medicine from Venezuela, but two of three judges (Judges Arlin Ventura Jiménez (presiding) and Leticia Martínez Noboa (substitute president), did not admit the evidence.
What stands is that after the decision of the court of appeals, the case could still be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice. The Supreme Court of Justice would then need to admit the case if considering there is a motive of public interest or important legal standards are at play.
As per Dominican law, the interested party would need to present a formal petition for the Supreme Court of Justice to hear the case. Given the weak case presented by the Public Ministry that lead to the acquittal in favor of Moya Boada, there is doubt who or if anyone would take the case to the Supreme Court of Justice. If the Supreme Court of Justice were to hear the case, its decision would be final, except for exceptional circumstances.
Of the three judges of the Third Collegiate Court of the National District, one, Evelyn Rodriguez presented a dissenting opinion. In her dissent, she argued that Moya Boada should have been sentenced to two years in Najayo prison and fined RD$1 million to be paid to the Ministry of Public Health as compensation. The dissenting judge asserted there are signs that the defendant engaged in the illegal practice of aesthetic medical procedures related to health science.
In their decision to acquit Moya Boada and her aesthetic clinic, Laser Point Rejuvenation Center By Karla Moya Boada, judges Ventura Jiménez and Martínez Noboa said that the certifications from the Dominican Medical Guild (CMD) and Ministry of Public Health (MISPAS), that confirmed that the defendant was not registered with the medical association nor did she have permission to practice from the Ministry of Public Health, were insufficient to prove the offense. To practice medicine in the Dominican Republic, doctors need to be a member of the CMD and have permission from the Ministry of Public Health to practice.
After her acquittal on lack of evidence to prove the charge of her practicing medicine irregularly issued by the Court of Appeals, the Venezuelan said she will sue those who have affected her reputation as a medical doctor.
Read more:
Hoy
5 June 2025