Search Warrants Banner
Criminal (and some civil) investigations often require a search by law enforcement author  What is a Search Warrant?A search warrant is a document signed by a neutral authority permitting law enforcement to search a person or property for evidence of a crime. A warrant…
barbed wire superimposed over country maps
There are four principle sentencing models used by criminal justice systems around the world, with some adopting a combined approach. This page examines the sentencing practices of eight countries, including procedure, the role of victims, sentence types, whether mandatory minimums are used, and…
Special Courts Banner
Many countries have specialized courts that operate alongside courts of general jurisdiction. These courts are created to meet the needs of specific constituencies (juvenile courts, tribal courts, community courts) or to address unique jurisdictional issues (tax courts, probate courts). Specialized…
Image of a Supranational Court
Supranational tribunals may be characterized as “international courts” when they apply international law. Although supranational law is a type of international law, it only applies when sovereign nations agree to recognize the judicial decisions of a common tribunal as…
Dove holding an olive branch
In countries that have experienced a sustained period of conflict, repression, or human rights violations, the existing justice system may not be equipped to provide adequate recourse. In the aftermath of sustained periods of strife, political and legal institutions may…
Defendant signing plea bargain form
  Justice systems around the world face heavy criminal case loads. Features to Consider in Trial-Waiver Models Prosecution control of charge Victim agreement Types of Crime Types of punishments or other consequences, including dismissal after supervision Judge…
Import symbol hovering over a courthouse
Foreign judges have been “imported” throughout history, dating back to Ancient Greece when independent city-states br Local CapacityThe process of developing a pool of skilled judges takes time. In countries without a well-established legal profession, especially those with…