Justice Budget Causes Concern Among Judges

The professional associations of judges are "deeply concerned" about the lack of additional positions in the justice budget. Despite new legal responsibilities and a massive increase in the number of cases, a corresponding response from the government has been absent, according to the Judges' Association and GÖD section in a joint statement. Prosecutors are also "disappointed" by the failure to cover the massive additional workload caused by recent laws.

Justice budget without more positions

The justice budget stipulates that the number of positions should remain the same. Recently, judges had demanded 200 additional positions - citing the personnel requirement calculation of the Ministry of Justice for district and regional courts as well as numerous recent laws. An additional need for personnel was noted, for example, in the new regulation of mobile phone confiscation. However, these positions have not actually been filled.

It is acknowledged that in times of economic challenges and increasing debt, austerity measures are necessary and that the justice budget is also required to contribute, according to the judges. "But justice needs appropriate resources, and without sufficient personnel, swift resolutions can no longer be guaranteed," said Judges' Association President Gernot Kanduth. As a result, the pressure on the justice system would continue to increase and proceedings would take longer.

Prosecutors: "Disappointment"

Similarly, the Prosecutors' Association. For the prosecutors, too, recent measures such as the Criminal Procedure Amendment Act, including the new mobile phone confiscation, have created a "massive additional workload" or such is also expected from planned initiatives like the criminalization of sending unsolicited explicit images. The fact that this is not being offset with more positions is a "disappointment," according to an information letter.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.