The Code of Criminal Procedure has been attempted to be changed since 2016. In 2023, the Ministry of Justice decided to move forward with the reform.
The Legal Committee is discussing amendments that should resolve criminal cases more quickly. There is also a desire to reduce malicious delays in proceedings. The aim of the changes is also to increase the transparency of court proceedings.
The Media Union believes that these changes will reduce the media's opportunities to cover court proceedings. The Union believes that court proceedings will become more closed.
The Executive Director of the Media Union, Väino Koorberg, stated that simplifying court proceedings should not reduce transparency. He emphasized that conditional release regulations should be public.
The Tartu District Court shares a similar view. The court found that the public may be interested in conditional release regulations.
The Media Union also believes that the release regulations for foreigners should be public. This would help monitor how offenders are dealt with.
Currently, the public cannot access information about arrests. Koorberg pointed out that the changes may reduce public information about arrests.
The Media Union believes that court proceedings should not become more closed. The Union wants the level of transparency to be maintained.
The Legal Committee supports the proposals of the Media Union. The Committee wished for the regulations on waiving the execution of punishment to be public.
The Ministry of Justice also agrees with the Media Union's proposals. The Ministry wants to discuss possible balancing measures.
The Chairman of the Legal Committee, Madis Timpson, said that the Parliament should adopt the draft before the summer recess.