The Chamber of Deputies approved on Tuesday, 8 November 2022, the amendment to the Penal Code (Law 76-02) so that robbery without violence and without weapons can be prosecuted ex officio by the Public Prosecutor’s Office without the victim having to file a complaint.
The initiative had already passed in the Senate. It was originally submitted by Eduardo Estrella (DxC-Santiago) and Pedro Catrain (PRM-Samana). 109 deputies voted in favor, one against, and there were 17 abstentions.
The amendment will make it possible for prosecutors to pursue and prosecute those who commit petty theft or acts of robbery without the victims having to go through the hardship of attending court sessions and other tedious procedures. The many legal delays required to prosecute crime have resulted in most victims not pressing charges and the criminals becoming repeat offenders. The bill was drafted with the intention that it facilitate the prosecution of the repeat offenders.
PRM deputy Eugenio Cedeño was the only deputy to vote against it. He warned that Dominican jails are full of people with preventive custody terms and is concerned the amendment will just add to these numbers.
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El Caribe
9 November 2022