O presente trabalho tem como objetivo a análise da validade das normas infraconstitucionais que possibilitam ao julgador penal a decretação da prisão preventiva sem o requerimento do Ministério Público ou do querelante. O maior ou menor grau de atribuições de ofício ao juiz está diretamente ligado ao sistema processual penal vigente em cada jurisdição. Desta forma, importa definir os sistemas processuais penais acusatório, inquisitório e misto, os princípios que os regem, e identificar qual deles foi o escolhido pela Constituição Federal de 1988 e pelas normas supralegais. A partir da conclusão de que a Constituição Federal institui o princípio acusatório que condiciona todas as normas infraconstitucionais, identificamos as normas que não encontram sua fundamentação neste princípio e, por isso, destoam do sistema. A norma que dá ao juiz o poder de decretar de ofício a prisão preventiva é uma delas. O trabalho, então, analisa criticamente alguns dos argumentos que comumente são utilizados para fundamentar a posição da constitucionalidade ou inconstitucionalidade da norma, concluindo que as bases que sustentam o poder de ofício do juiz é o ideal inquisitório de um sistema de justiça que implementa políticas públicas em que a imparcialidade do juiz é um atributo de somenos importância. Por fim, colacionam-se algumas notas de direito comparado a respeito de como a questão é tratada em diferentes jurisdições. O trabalho conclui que o poder de decretar a prisão preventiva de ofício está em contradição com os valores processuais acusatórios típicos dos Estados Democráticos de Direito. Indica-se uma possível solução para a modernização do método de tomada de decisão de medidas cautelares consistente nas audiências prévias que oferecem um ambiente mais propício ao exercício das garantias processuais. / This study aims to analyze the validity of the infra-constitutional norms that allow the criminal judge to issue a remand without the request of the prosecutor or the plaintiff. The greater or lesser degree of power assigned to the judge is directly connected to the current actual justice system in each jurisdiction. Thus, it is relevant to define the criminal procedural systems accusatorial, inquisitorial and mixed, their governing principles, and identify which one was chosen by the Federal Constitution of 1988 and the rules that are higher in hierarchy. From the assumption that the Brazilian Constitution establishes the adversarial principle which determines norms in our law systems, the study identifies rules that do not find their justification in this principle and, therefore, diverge from the system. The rule that gives the judge the power to issue a preventive detention order is one of them. The work then critically examines some of the arguments that are commonly used to support the position of the constitutionality or unconstitutionality of this rule, concluding that the basis supporting the judge\'s power is the inquisitorial ideal of a policy implementing justice system in which the judge\'s impartiality is a minor attribute. Finally, some notes of comparative law are collected in regard to how the issue is assessed in different jurisdictions. The paper concludes that the power to issue the order is contrary to the typical values of the accusatory procedural law of Democratic States. At the end, the study indicates a possible solution to the modernization of the decision-making method for precautionary measures consistent in previous hearings that offer an environment more conducive to the exercise of procedural safeguards.

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo a análise da validade das normas infraconstitucionais que possibilitam ao julgador penal a decretação da prisão preventiva sem o requerimento do Ministério Público ou do querelante. O maior ou menor grau de atribuições de ofício ao juiz está diretamente ligado ao sistema processual penal vigente em cada jurisdição. Desta forma, importa definir os sistemas processuais penais acusatório, inquisitório e misto, os princípios que os regem, e identificar qual deles foi o escolhido pela Constituição Federal de 1988 e pelas normas supralegais. A partir da conclusão de que a Constituição Federal institui o princípio acusatório que condiciona todas as normas infraconstitucionais, identificamos as normas que não encontram sua fundamentação neste princípio e, por isso, destoam do sistema. A norma que dá ao juiz o poder de decretar de ofício a prisão preventiva é uma delas. O trabalho, então, analisa criticamente alguns dos argumentos que comumente são utilizados para fundamentar a posição da constitucionalidade ou inconstitucionalidade da norma, concluindo que as bases que sustentam o poder de ofício do juiz é o ideal inquisitório de um sistema de justiça que implementa políticas públicas em que a imparcialidade do juiz é um atributo de somenos importância. Por fim, colacionam-se algumas notas de direito comparado a respeito de como a questão é tratada em diferentes jurisdições. O trabalho conclui que o poder de decretar a prisão preventiva de ofício está em contradição com os valores processuais acusatórios típicos dos Estados Democráticos de Direito. Indica-se uma possível solução para a modernização do método de tomada de decisão de medidas cautelares consistente nas audiências prévias que oferecem um ambiente mais propício ao exercício das garantias processuais. / This study aims to analyze the validity of the infra-constitutional norms that allow the criminal judge to issue a remand without the request of the prosecutor or the plaintiff. The greater or lesser degree of power assigned to the judge is directly connected to the current actual justice system in each jurisdiction. Thus, it is relevant to define the criminal procedural systems accusatorial, inquisitorial and mixed, their governing principles, and identify which one was chosen by the Federal Constitution of 1988 and the rules that are higher in hierarchy. From the assumption that the Brazilian Constitution establishes the adversarial principle which determines norms in our law systems, the study identifies rules that do not find their justification in this principle and, therefore, diverge from the system. The rule that gives the judge the power to issue a preventive detention order is one of them. The work then critically examines some of the arguments that are commonly used to support the position of the constitutionality or unconstitutionality of this rule, concluding that the basis supporting the judge\'s power is the inquisitorial ideal of a policy implementing justice system in which the judge\'s impartiality is a minor attribute. Finally, some notes of comparative law are collected in regard to how the issue is assessed in different jurisdictions. The paper concludes that the power to issue the order is contrary to the typical values of the accusatory procedural law of Democratic States. At the end, the study indicates a possible solution to the modernization of the decision-making method for precautionary measures consistent in previous hearings that offer an environment more conducive to the exercise of procedural safeguards.

This study concentrates on the development, implementation and evaluation of a research based training program for intermediaries in South African courts in order to improve the intermediary’s knowledge and understanding of the role and duties of an intermediary. The motivation for this study had its origin in the fact that the adversarial nature of court proceedings is a major stumbling block for the child witness. The research problem, namely that there is no national research based training program for intermediaries in South Africa, was discussed. Intervention research was used as research methodology and a two phase research approach was undertaken. A quantitative survey research design was used during the phases. The research question formulated for the first phase was: What are the duties and role of an intermediary? 54 magistrates and 34 prosecutors who attended four workshops, completed a self-structured questionnaire. This data complemented the literature study and both were used to compile a training program for intermediaries. The quantitative approach was also used for phase two of the study. A quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design was used. An assessment by means of a questionnaire was done before the training program started and was repeated again after the presentation of the training program to determine the effectiveness of the program The research hypotheses that was formulated was: If an intermediary is trained according to a research-based training program, the intermediary’s knowledge of her role in assisting the child before and during the trial in a South African court will be improved. A five-day training program was implemented. The hypothesis was confirmed after the data had been analyzed and compared to the literature. In chapter two the legal system of South Africa, in respect to the child, was discussed and in chapters three, four and five all aspects of child development were discussed with specific emphasis on the child witness that needs to testify in a separate courtroom. Cognitive development and language development in the context of the child witness were discussed. This information was used to develop a training program. In chapter six the development of a training program was discussed with specific attention being given to outcomes based education. In chapter seven all the data that was collected was quantified, analyzed and interpreted. The conclusion could be drawn that the respondents did show improvement of their skills and knowledge of an intermediary, his/her duties and theoretical knowledge. They also showed that their practical skills had improved by attending the training program. The conclusion could therefore be made that the intermediary training program was successfully implemented and complied with the requirements of an outcomes based training program. The findings obtained indicate that trainers of intermediaries throughout South Africa can successfully apply the developed training program. Conclusions and recommendations (chapter 8) of this study are put forward in accordance with the process that was followed in developing and implementing the training program for intermediaries who are to assist children when testifying in a court. / Thesis (DPhil (Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Social Work / unrestricted

The researcher identified in her work as a social worker that sexually abused adolescents experience difficulties with testifying in court. The goal of this research was directed at developing guidelines to assist adolescents who have to testify in court. The researcher utilised the qualitative research approach with an exploratory and descriptive nature. Semi-structured interviews were done with a sample of adolescents who have testified in court, a sample of parents or caregivers of adolescents who have testified in court and social workers working with adolescents who testify in court. These interviews were conducted to gain insight into how the research participants experienced the court process in order to formulate guidelines for adolescents who have to testify in court. The researcher concluded that adolescents experience testifying in court as negative. Guidelines were developed from the information obtained from the research participants to support adolescents who has to testify in court. / Social work / M.Diac. (Play therapy)

The researcher identified in her work as a social worker that sexually abused adolescents experience difficulties with testifying in court. The goal of this research was directed at developing guidelines to assist adolescents who have to testify in court. The researcher utilised the qualitative research approach with an exploratory and descriptive nature. Semi-structured interviews were done with a sample of adolescents who have testified in court, a sample of parents or caregivers of adolescents who have testified in court and social workers working with adolescents who testify in court. These interviews were conducted to gain insight into how the research participants experienced the court process in order to formulate guidelines for adolescents who have to testify in court. The researcher concluded that adolescents experience testifying in court as negative. Guidelines were developed from the information obtained from the research participants to support adolescents who has to testify in court. / Social work / M.Diac. (Play therapy)