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    * TheauthorisagraduateofUniversidadPedrodeValdiviasSchoolofLawinSantiago,Chile.SheisalsoaFederallyCertiedCourtInterpreterwiththeAdministrativeOceofU.S.CourtsandamemberoftheInternationalAssociationofConferenceInterpreters(AIIC).

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    ChilesRevampedCriminalJustice

    SystemKATHERINE KAUFFMAN*

    AbsTRAcTWhile much has been written in Spanish, and to a certain extent in English, about the criminal

    procedure reforms sweeping Latin America, scant information is available in English that describesthe novel process itself. This paper seeks to provide a general overview of one of the most successful suchreforms in the region, the revamped system of criminal justice in Chile.

    bAcKgRoUNd INFoRMATIoN

    InDecember2000,Chilesnewcodeofcriminalprocedurecameintoeect.Thenewcodereplacedtheformerwritten,secretandinquisitionalsysteminplacesince1907withanoral,publicandadversarialprocedure.Inadditiontomodifyingbodiesoflaw,thecomplexreformprocessincludedtheinstallationofaseriesofnewinstitutions,includingtheOceofthePublicProsecutor (Ministerio Pblico),theOceoftheCriminalPublicDefender(Defensora Penal Pblica),GuaranteeCourt(Juzgados de Garantaspecialcourtstosafeguardtherightsofthedefendantandthevictimduringtheinvestigationprocess)andOralCriminalTrialCourts(Tribunales Orales de Juicio Penal).Itisimportanttonotethatundertheoldsystem,thetasksofinvestigating,indictingandadjudicatingacriminalcasewereinthehandsofasingleinvestigatingjudgeknownasajuez de instruccin.

    The reform was implemented gradually, with dierent geographic regionsphased-inoveraperiodofveyears(20002005).TheprocessconcludedonJune16,2005witharoll-outintheSantiagoMetropolitanRegion,bringingthenewcriminalprocedureintoforceacrosstheentirecountryforthosecrimescommitted

    afterthestart-updateineachregion.Underthenewsystem,prosecutorsreplacejudgesastheleadinvestigatorsofcriminalactivity.Followingcaseinitiation,proceedingscommencewithapresent-menthearing,followedbyacomplainthearing,aformalinvestigation,thelingofanaccusation,preparationsfortrialandthetrialitself(inasingle-judgeGuaranteeCourtorbeforeathree-judgepanelinanOralTrialCriminalCourtdependingonthespeciccircumstancesofthecase),averdict,appealstotheAppellateandSupremeCourtsandsentenceimplementationoverseenbytheGuaranteeCourt.Eachofthesephaseswillbedescribedingreaterdetailbelow.

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    Thenewsystemseekstoprovidespeedy,ecient,transparentandimpartialac-cesstojusticewhilerespectingfundamentalhumanrightsandstrikingabalancebetweenthegovernmentscoercivepowerandindividualrightsandliberties.The

    newsystemreplacesthenegativefeaturesoftheoldmodelincludingapartialjudgeandslow,inecientproceedingswithnewlegalconceptsdesignedtosafe-guardindividualrightsandlibertiesandsolvecriminalcasespromptly.Thereformisgroundedonaseriesofunderlyingprinciples,1including:

    1. Dueprocess;2. Righttodefense;3. Equalitybeforethelaw;

    4. Presumptionofinnocence;5. Impartiality;6. Publicaccessandoralproceedingsinallcasesandhearings;7. Eciency(reectedinalternativedisputeresolutionmechanisms);8. Concentration (hearings are conducted in a single session with a

    verdictannouncedshortlyafterclosingarguments);9. Confrontation(especiallyofwitnessesviacross-examination);and10. Procedural immediacy(personalcontactbetweenthejudgeandthe

    partiesasaprerequisiteforthevalidityofallhearings).

    I. THE PARTIcIPANTs

    AccordingtoTitleIVofthenewCriminalProceduresCode(CPP),2thepartici-pants(sujetos procesales)inthenewcriminalsystemaretheOceofthePublicPros-ecutor(OPP),OceoftheCriminalPublicDefender(OCPD),thedefendant,victims,criminalcomplainants,lawenforcementandthecourts.3

    A. Office of the Public Prosecutor

    TheOPPisthecornerstoneofcriminalprosecutioninthenewsystem.Thisautonomous,hierarchicalandconstitutionally-rankedbodyistaskedwith:inves-tigatingcriminalacts;determiningpunishableparticipationoraccreditingthein-

    1. AdditionalprinciplesandactionableprovisionsoflawinChilecanbefoundintheU.N.In-ternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights,ratiedbyChilein1999,andtheAmericanConventiononHumanRights(PactofSanJose,CostaRica).

    2. ThenewcodeistheCdigo Procesal Penal.Theoldcode,Cdigo de Procedimiento Penal,wasalsoab-breviatedCPP.

    3. PursuanttoArticle12oftheCriminalProceduresCode(CPP),theinterveningparties(inter-vinientes)are:theprosecutor,thedefendant,thecriminaldefender,thevictim,andthecriminalcomplainant.Witnessesareconsideredtobethirdparties.Thedistinctionbetweenparticipantsandpartiesisgermanetotheexerciseofcertainrights.

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    nocenceoftheaccused;exercisingpubliccriminalactionasestablishedbylaw4andadoptingmeasurestoprotectvictimsandwitnesses.5

    AlthoughtheOPPissuesdirectorderstolawenforcementduringacriminalinvestigation,undernocircumstancesmaytheOPPhearoradjudicatecases.Anyactionsthatdeprivethedefendantorthirdpartiesoftheexerciseofrightsguar-anteedbytheConstitutionorthatrestrictthoseguaranteesrequirepriorjudicialauthorization(thisincludeswire-taps,liftingofbanksecrecy,etc.).

    TheOPPisledbyaNationalProsecutorwhoisresponsibleforoverallleader-shipoftheProsecutorsOceatthenationallevel.TheNationalProsecutorsetsobjectives,policiesandinstitutionalguidelinesandplansfortheOPPintermsofbothpublicprosecutionofcriminalcasesandinstitutionalmanagement.Ad-ministratively,theOPPisdividedintogeographicunitsattheregionalandlocallevels.RegionalProsecutors(Fiscales Regionales)areresponsibleforperformingthedutiesandexercisingthepowersoftheOceofthePublicProsecutorinaspecicregionorgeographicportionofthatregioneitherpersonallyorthroughdeputyprosecutors.DeputyProsecutorsare,inturn,taskedwithdirectingtheinvestiga-tionofthecasesandpressingchargesagainstsuspectsbasedontheinvestigation.Towardthisend,DeputyProsecutors(Fiscales Adjuntos)mayorderotheragencies,inlcudingLawEnforcementandtheMedicalExaminertoengageingivenactions.DeputyProsecutorsarealsoresponsibleforensuringtheprotectionofvictimsandwitnesses and are supported in legal, administrativeand operational aairs byProsecutorialAssistants(Asistentes del Fiscal).6

    Inaddition,theOPPisempoweredtoapplyalternativesolutionsingrapplingwith its case load.The options include postponinginvestigationsuntil furtherinformationisavailable,desistingfromaninvestigationonceinitiated,temporarysuspension(deferredadjudication)7ofthechargesagainstadefendantandResti-tutionAgreements8reachedbetweentheperpetratorandthevictim.Mostofthesedecisions,however,requiretheapprovaloftheGuaranteeJudgeandmustmeetspecicapplicabilityprovisions(seebelow).

    AnotherimportantfeatureofthenewsystemisthatvictimscanopposetheOPPsuseofitsdiscretionarypowerstodismissacaseduringtheinvestigativephasebylinganindependentcriminalcomplaint(querella),therebyforcingthe

    OPPtomoveforwardwiththeinvestigation.Moreover,certainvictimswhohaveledsuchacomplaintcanleanaccusationandcontinueonwiththecasethroughtrialeveniftheOPPdecidesnottopursuethecaseincourt.9

    4. AlthoughmostcrimesarepursuablebyOPPprosecutorsattheirowninitiative,somerequirethatacrimereportbeledrst(accin pblica previa instancia particular)whileothers,suchaswritingbadchecks,canonlybeprosecutedviaprivatecriminalcomplaint( accin privada).CPP,arts.54-55.

    5. Law19640[OceofthePublicProsecutor],art.1,DiarioOcial,Oct.15,1999(Chile).

    6. Id. tit.II.

    7. CPP,art.237.

    8. Id.art.241.

    9. Id.arts.109,111,258.

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    Onceincourt,theOPPmayalsorequesttheuseofoneofthreetime-savingalternativetrialprocedures(seeCourtsbelow)toexpeditecaseresolution.

    b. Office of the Criminal Public Defender

    TheOceoftheCriminalPublicDefender(OCPD)wascreatedbylaw 10in2001andfallsunderthedirectsupervisionofthePresidentthroughtheMinistryofJustice.TheOCPDisledbyaNationalPublicDefenderandcomposedofre-gionalandlocalpublicdefenders,followingastructurequitesimilartothatoftheOPP.11Thedistinguishingfeatureis,however,thatnotallpublicdefendersareem-ployeddirectlybythisoce:someareinfactprivateattorneyswhoseoceshave

    participatedinastrictlyregulatedpublictenderprocesstoserveinthiscapacity.12

    Thus,bothsetsofdefenders,bothpublic-publicandprivate-publicaretaskedwithprovidingprofessionaldefensetothoseindividualsunderformalinvestiga-tionoraccusedofacriminaloensethatcomesunderthejurisdictionofthenewcriminalprocedure.Specically,publiccriminaldefendersareresponsiblefor:

    a) Defending theprocedural rights and liberties of thedefendantand ensuring his/her actual and equitable participation in theproceedings.13b) Representingthedefendantincourt;takingpartineveryjudicial

    proceedingandhearingcommencingwiththeinitialactionagainstthedefendantthroughnaljudgment.c) Assisting defendants and informing them of procedures andoptions.

    Public defenders areprovided freeofchargefor thosedefendantsunable toaordanattorney(incomeunderUS$200amonth,approximately).Thoseabletopayarechargedonaslidingscale(inpractice,only3%ofalldefendantsrepre-sentedbytheOCPDmakesuchco-payments).

    Defendantswhowishtohiretheirownprivateattorneyattheirownexpense

    maydoso.

    c. Victims

    PursuanttoArticle83oftheConstitutionofChile,oneofthethreekeyfunc-tionsoftheOPPistoadoptprotectivemeasuresforvictimsandwitnesses.Thisconstitutionalmandateisnewunderthereformandrepresentsasubstantivede-

    10. Law19718[OceofthePublicDefender],DiarioOcial,Mar.10,2001(Chile).

    11. Id.tit.II.

    12. Id.tits.33,53.

    13. Id.art.2.

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    parturefromtheprevioussysteminwhichsuchindividualswereaordednospe-cialprotectionortreatment.

    TheCriminalProceduresCode(CPP)furtherspeciestheprotectivedutiesoftheOPPregardingvictims,statingthatitshallbethedutyofprosecutorsduringtheentireproceduretotakemeasuresorrequestthem,ifapplicable,toprotectvic-timsofcrime;tofacilitatetheirinvolvementintheproceeding,andtoavertorlimittoaminimumanyinconveniencetheymayhavetobearasoftheresultoftheirparticipationinsaidproceedings.14Thesamesectionestablishesthatprosecutorsareboundto:Orderontheirowninitiativeorrequestofthecourt,ifapplicable,measuresaimedattheprotectionofthevictimandhis/herfamilyinthefaceofprobableharassment, threatsor attacks.15ThisprovisionextendstheprotectivedutyoftheOPPtothevictimsfamily.ThelawalsorequirestheOPPtoprovidesimilarprotectionforwitnesses.16

    Inbroadterms,suchprotectionisprovidedviatwomechanisms:

    1.Prosecutor-orderedprotection

    Prosecutorsmayadoptthefollowingmeasuresonbehalfofvictimsorwitnessesontheirowninitiative.Nocourtorderisrequiredasthissetofmeasuresdoesnotimpingeontherightsofthedefendant.Theyinclude:17

    a) Periodicroundsbylawenforcement(Carabineros de Chile(uniformed)andPolica de Investigaciones(plainclothesdetectives))atthewitnesshomeorworkplace;b) Prioritytelephonecontactforawitnesswiththepolice;c) Condentialityofdomicileduringtheinvestigationandattrial;d) WitnesssubpoenaandstatementatalocationotherthanthelocalProecutorsOce,whenacceptedbythewitness;e) Arrangingforchangestotelephonenumbersorrequestingaprivatenumberforthewitness;f) Provisionofcellulartelephoneswithemergencynumbers;andg) Provisionofpersonalalarms.

    14. CPP,art.78.

    15. Id.art.78(b).16. Id.art.308.

    17. Id.art.109;see also Gua para la Proteccin de Vctimas de Delitos ,VictmandWitnessProtectionDivision,OceofthePublicProsecutor,Chile.2002.

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    2.Court-orderedprotectivemeasures18

    Toimplementthesemeasures,prosecutorsmustobtaincourtauthorizationbe-causetheyaecttherightsofparticipantsorthirdpartiesorbecauseitisrequiredbylaw.Keymeasuresinthiscategoryinclude:

    d) Interimmeasures,suchas:pretrialcustodyofthedefendantandother restrictive measures of his/her freedom, includingrestrainingorders;19

    e) Changeofidentityand/orrelocation,asprovidedforinspecicstatutes;20andf) Condentialityofwitnessidentityduringtrial;

    In addition, if petitioned, the court may adopt several protective measureswherethereisreasonablecause.Thesemeasuresinclude:21barringaccessororder-ingtheremovalofspecicindividualsfromthecourtroom;barringaccessbythepublicingeneralororderingtheroomclearedinordertohearspecictestimony;prohibitingtheprosecutor,otherparticipantsandtheirlawyersfromdeliveringin-formationormakingstatementstothemediaduringthecourseofthetrialandtheuseofidentitydistortingmeasures,includingfoldingscreenstoseparatewitnessesfromtherestofthecourtroom,statementsbyclosedcircuittelevision,disguisesandvoicedistortiontechniques.

    Specialprovisionsalsopermitchildrentotestifyfromaseparateroomviaclosedcircuittelevision.Inaneorttoreducesecondaryvictimizationandmakechildrenmorecomfortable,theattorneysforthedefenseandtheprosecutionpreparealistofquestionsthatarethenreadtotheminorbythePresidingJudgewhositsintheseparateroomwiththechild.22

    WhileU.S.-styledepositionsarenotanoptionintheChileansystem,thenewproceduresdoallowevidencetobeproducedduringpreliminaryhearingstotrialtoensuretheavailabilityofavictimorwitnessstatementattrial,whenthereisafearofthedeathorphysicalormentaldisabilityofthewitnessthatwouldpre-venthimfromappearingattrial.23Procedurally,aspecialhearingisheldpriorto

    thetrialinthepresenceofallparticipantsentitledtoattendthetrialtoheartheevidencecontributedbytheprotectedindividual.24Thisevidenceissubsequentlyincludedintheoraltrialbyreadingthestatementfromtherecordofthathearing.25

    18. CPPart.308.

    19. Id.tit.V4.

    20. See, e.g., Law20000[IllegalTrackingofNarcoticandPsychotropicSubstances],art.35,DiarioOcial,Feb.16,2005(Chile).

    21. CPPart.292.

    22. Id.art.310.

    23. Id.art.191.

    24. Id.

    25. Id.art.331.

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    Nonetheless,thistechniquehasrunintopracticalsnagsthatmakeitsapplicationratherlessthanwidespread.

    d. Criminal Complainant (querellante)26

    Asnotedabove,thenewcodeallowsvictimsand,inverylimitedcases,otherinterestedpartiestoleacriminalcomplaintandcarryforwardaprosecutionevenintheabsenceoftheOPP.27ThisfeatureiscarefullyregulatedintheCPP,whichrequiresthatpartieswhotakeadvantageofthisoptionbediligentintheirproceed-ings,complywithalllegaltimelimitsandparticipateincertainhearings,underpenaltyofhavingthecasedismissed.Defendantssoprosecutedmayalsopetitionfordamagesifthecomplainantprovesirresponsibleornegligentinprocessing

    theircase.28

    E.Law Enforcement

    Chilehastwonation-widepoliceforces,theuniformedCarabineros de ChileandtheplainclothesPolicia de Investigaciones de Chile.Bothforcesareconsideredtobeaux-iliaryinstitutionstotheOPPintheinvestigationofcriminalevents.29Bothforcesinvestigatecrimesatthebehestoftheprosecutorsoce,implementcoercivemea-suresasordered,andarerequiredtofollowordersandreporttoprosecutorsontheresultsoftheirinvestigations.30Althoughasageneralrulelawenforcementneedsanorderfromtheprosecutor(orthecourt,asthecasemaybe)totakeaction,of-cerscanperformcertaindutiesattheirowninitiative,31suchas:

    1. Aidingvictimsofcrime;2. Arresting perpetrators of in fragranti crimes or individuals with

    outstandingarrestwarrantsagainstthem;3. Safeguardingcrimescenes;4. Collectingcrimesceneevidence;5. Identifyingwitnessesandtakinginitialstatements;6. Receivingcrimereportsfromthepublic;and

    26. Id.tit.IV7.

    27. Id.

    28. Id.art.119.

    29. Id. tit.IV3.

    30. Id. art.80.

    31. Id. art.83.

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    7. Performingidentitychecks.32

    F.

    Courts33

    Thecourtsoftherstinstancearedividedintotwolevels:

    1.GuaranteeCourts

    Asageneralrule,GuaranteeCourtjudgesplayaroleakintothatofamagis-tratejudgeintheU.S.federalsystem(seespecicfunctionsbelow).Thesejudgesmayalsohearandadjudicatecasesinvolvinglessercrimes(insimplied,abbrevi-

    atedormonitoringproceedings)andapproveorrejectRestitutionAgreements(seebelow).

    GuaranteeCourtsarecomposedofoneormorejudgeswhositonsingle-judgebenches,whosemainfunctionsareto:a)grantauthorizationforinvestigativepro-ceduresthatcurtailorotherwiseimpedetheexerciseofconstitutionalrights; 34b)tryandadjudicatecasesundersimplied,abbreviated,ormonitoringprocedures;c) oversee implementation of sentences stemming from guilty verdicts handeddownagainstindividualsdeemedcriminallyliable35andsupervisesecuritymea-suresforthoseinvolvedincriminalactswhoarenotfoundcriminallyliable(i.e.thementallydisturbed)36andd)conducthearingsduringtheinvestigativephaseandresolveancillaryproceedingsthatariseduringthatstage.37

    CommonhearingsbeforetheGuaranteeCourtsinclude:

    a. Initialappearanceandcomplainthearings.38b. Interimmeasure(medidas cautelares)hearingsduringtheinvestigation,

    including pretrial detention39 (and setting time limits for such

    32. PursuanttoArticle85,CPPwhentherearesucientgroundstosuggestthatacrimehasjust

    beencommitted,isabouttobecommittedorhasjustbeenattempted,amongothercases,lawenforcementmayrequireapersontoproduceavalidformofidentication.PersonswhofailtoproducesuchI.D.canberetainedatapolicestationorotherpublicfacilityforuptoeighthourswhiletheiridentityisveried.Moreover,policecansearchtheperson,theirpersonalpossessionsandvehicleduringthecourseofthespotcheck(evenwhenthepersonproducesvalididentica-tion).Thisformofinvestigativedetentioniscalledacontrol de identidadandthepersonsoretainedisconsideredcontrolada(controlled)ratherthandetenida(arrested).

    33. Id. tit.IV1.

    34. Id. art.70.

    35. Id.art.468.

    36. Id. art.458.

    37. See e.g., id. arts.71,169.

    38. Id. art.95.

    39. Id.art.139.

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    detentionifgranted).40

    c. Simplied Procedure:41 Used when the oense involved is amisdemeanor ( falta penal)orlessercrime(delito simple)forwhichthe

    OPPhasrequestedaneectivesentenceofnomorethan540daysofprisontime.

    d. AbbreviatedProcedure:42MayberequestedbytheProsecutorwhentheperiodofincarcerationhe/shehasproposedisunder5years.ThedefendantmustagreetothisprocedureandacknowledgethefactsasstatedintheaccusationledbytheProsecutor.

    e. MonitoringProcedure:43Usedsolelywhentheoensecommittedisamisdemeanorpunishablesolelybyne.

    f. RestitutionAgreements:44Thisnowwidely-usedalternativesystemofrestorativejusticeisafurtherinnovationunderthereformandconsists

    ofanagreementbetweenthevictimandthedefendantthatbringsthecasetoaclose.TheagreementmustbeapprovedbytheGuaranteeJudgeinapublichearing,withallpartiespresent.Whiletheprosecutorcanvoiceoppositiontotheagreement,theOPPcannotimpedesuchanaccordfrommovingforwardsolongastheGuaranteeJudgendsthatitcomplieswiththelaw.Thisoptionisavailableonlywhenthecaseunderinvestigationinvolvesalegally-availableprotectedinterestofaneconomicnature,lesserinjuryorcrimesofnegligence.Shouldthe perpetrator fail tocomply withthe termsof the agreement,thecasereturnstocourt.

    g. Pretrialconferenceondiscoveryandmotions45

    .

    2.OralCriminalTrialCourts

    These courtrooms, known by their Spanish acronym TJOP (Tribu-nal de Juicio Oral en lo Penal), are composed of three professional judges whosit in a collegiate tribunal that hears and conducts the oral trial and ac-quits or convicts the defendant. These courts are primarily responsible for:

    a.Hearingandadjudicatingcaseswhereanoensehasbeencommitted,pursuanttotheCriminalProceduresCode.

    b.Rulingonanyancillaryproceedingsinitiatedduringtheoraltrial. c. Acquitting or convicting defendants and rendering nal judgment

    basedontheevidencepresentedatthetrial.

    40. Id. art.157.

    41. Id. art.308.

    42. Id. art.406.

    43. Id.art.392.

    44. Id.art.241.

    45. Id. art.277.

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    Judgeshaveaccesstoasummaryofthecaseandadmissibleevidencepriortotrial(auto de apertura de juicio oral)46butarenotprivytotheparticularsoftheproceed-ingsthattookplacebeforetheGuaranteeCourt.

    3.AppellateCourts

    ChiledidnotintroducesubstantivechangestoitsappellatecourtstructureortheSupremeCourttoaccommodatethenewcriminalsystem.Newregulationswereintroduced,however,tograpplewiththeneedforadditionalprocedures.Forexample,adjudicationhandeddownbybothGuaranteeCourtsandOralCrimi-nalTrialCourtsisgenerallysubjecttoreviewbyasuperiorcourtviaamotionforrevieworannulment,accordingtospecicprovisionsoflaw.47

    Asageneralrule,thedecisionsofGuaranteeCourtsmadeduringoralproceed-ingscannotbeappealed.48However,whentherulingisissuedinwriting,theissuewasnotdebatedinopencourtorwherethedecisionbringstheproceedingtoaclose,makesitimpossibletocontinueorsuspendsitforover30daystherulingcanbechallengedattheAppellateCourt.49AsaresultofaMarch2008modica-tiontothelaw,whentheGuaranteeJudgedeniesaprosecutorsrequestforthedefendanttoberemandedsheremainsincustodyuntiltheAppellateCourtissuesitsruling.Previously,defendantswerereleasedontheirownrecognizancewhilependingappeal.

    RulingshandeddownbytheOralTrialCourtsarenotsubjecttoappealbutcanbechallengedthroughamotiontorevieworannul.50PursuanttoArticle373oftheCPP,thetrialand/orthejudgmentcanbedeclarednullandvoid:

    a. When rights enshrined inthe Constitution or international treatiesinforceinChilehavebeensubstantivelyviolatedatanystageoftheproceedingsorinthejudgment;or

    b. Whenanerroneousapplicationoflawhassubstantivelyaectedtheoutcome.

    Inaddition,inkeepingwithArticle374,trialsandjudgmentswillbedeclarednullandvoidincasesofseriousproceduralbreaches(includingrulingshandeddownbycourtslackingjurisdiction,whenthemandatoryminimumnumberof

    judgesisnotmet,whereparticipantsrequiredtobepresentwereabsent,whereeectivedefensehasbeenhampered,etc.)ViolationsofArticle373(a)areheardbytheAppellateCourt.ViolationsofArticle373(b)andArticle374areheardbytheSupremeCourt.

    46. Id.art.281.

    47. Id. arts.352,364.

    48. Id. art.370.

    49. Id.

    50. Id.arts.364,372.

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    II. THE PRocEss

    Theprocedureinvolvesthreestages:aninvestigativephase,anintermediatephaseandatrialphase.

    A.Investigative Phase51

    Thisstepisadministrativeinnatureandledbytheprosecutorratherthanthecourts.Whileeachinstitutionhasitsownin-houseproceduresandcourtappear-ancesarecarefullyregulated,theocialinvestigativephaseischaracterizedbya

    lackofbureaucraticformalityandanabsenceoftherigidstructuresinherenttotheprevioussystemofcriminalprosecution.Forexample,inthepast,allcourtordershadtobeprocessedinwriting,viaocialproceduresandchannels.Today,instructionscanbegivenoverthephone(withanotationmadeinthecaseleorothersubsequentwrittenconrmation),byfax,emailoranyotherchanneltheprosecutordeemsreliable.

    1.CaseInitiation:criminalcasescancommenceviathreemechanisms52

    1. Crime report:victimsorwitnessesofcrimecanleareportwitheitherofChilestwolawenforcementagencies,53CarabinerosdeChile(uni-formed),PolicadeInvestigacionesdeChile(plainclothesdetectiveforce).

    2. Criminal complaint: victims, certain public institutions and, in speciccases,anyresident,canlean independentcriminalcomplaint.Thecomplaintisledandloggedatthecourthouseandthenforwardedbythecourttothelocalprosecutorsoce.Thecriminalcomplaintis

    broadlyusedbyvictimsofcrimewhoopposetheprosecutorsdecisionnottopursueaninvestigationintheircase.

    3.Attheprosecutorsinitiative(sua sponte):prosecutorscanorderlawen-forcementtocommenceaninvestigationwheninformationcomestotheirattentionthatacrimehasbeencommitted.Thisincludescasesofin fragranticrimesinwhichanarresthasbeenmade.

    51. Id. book2,tit.I.

    52. Id.art.172.

    53. Id.art.173.

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    OnceacrimehasbeenreportedtotheOPP,theprosecutorisgenerallyobli-gatedtotakemeasurestodeterminetheevents,theidentityofparticipantsandsoforthwithinareasonabletimeframe.54However,thelawprovidesforthreediscre-

    tionarycasemanagementpowers(alternativas a la investigacion)thattheprosecutorcanusetocloseacaseorpostponeinvestigation.Thisprosecutorialdiscretionisdesignedtosaveresources,reducecongestioninthecriminalprosecutionsystemandrespondtotheprinciplesoflegalityandobjectivitycontainedinChilespri-marybodiesoflaw.

    Thediscretionarycasemanagementpowersare:

    a)Optout(no iniciar la investigacion):55theprosecutormaydecidenottoinitiate an investigation when no investigative actions have beenundertakenand:

    i)Thefactsofthecasearenotcriminalinnature,orii)Thestatueoflimitationsontheactshasrunitscourse.

    Insuchcases,theprosecutormustjustifytheirdecisionandseekapprovalfromaGuaranteeJudge.

    b)Temporaryarchive(archivo provisional):56Theprosecutormaydecidetoarchivethecaseandpostponeinvestigationuntilfurtherinformation

    isavailable.Thisoptionisavailabletotheprosecutoriftheinitialin-formationprovidedisinsucienttoallowforinvestigativeactionstobeconductedanduntilsuchatimeastheGuaranteeJudgebecomesinvolvedinacase(forexample,ifawiretaporderisneeded).Atthatpoint,theprosecutorsoptionprecludes.Ifthecrimeinvolvedwouldcarryasentenceofover5yearsand1day,thedecisiontoarchivemustbe approved by the Regional Prosecutor. Victims can oppose thetemporaryarchivebypetitioningforthecasetobereopened,lingacomplaintwiththeOPPorlingacriminalcomplaint.InthelattercasetheOPPisobligatedtomoveforwardwiththeinvestigation.

    c) Streamlined procedures ( principio de oportunidad):57 A prosecutor maychoosenot to initiatean investigation orabandon an investigationunderwaywhen:

    i) The events involved do not gravely compromise the publicinterest;andii)Thepotentialsentenceisbelow541daysofprison;and

    54. See id. art.77.

    55. Id.art.168.

    56. Id.art.167.

    57. Id.art.170.

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    iii) The crime was not committed by a civil servant in theperformanceofhis/herduties.

    Inapplicablesituations,theprosecutornotiestheGuaranteeJudgeofhis/herdecisiontoapplystreamlinedcasemanagementandprovidesthegroundsforsuchachoice.TheJudgethennotiesthepartieswhohave10daystoopposethedeci-sion.Shouldthejudgendthatthecasetheprosecutorisseekingtostreamlinecarriesasentenceofover541daysorinvolvesacivilservantintheperformanceofhis/herduties,thejudgecanreversetheprosecutorsdecisionathisowninitia-tive.58

    Afterasecond10-daywindowforcomplaint,criminalactionexpires.Thus,theprosecutormayNOTreopensuchacaseifadditionalinformationsurfacessub-sequently.Thisistheprimarydistinctionbetweentheoptoutandtemporary

    archivediscretionarypowers,asthelattertwotechniquesdoallowaprosecutortoreopenacaseatalaterdate.

    Lastly,iftheprosecutoropensaninvestigativecasele( una carpeta)andlaterde-cidesthatacaseissimplynotworthpursuing,he/shemustclosethecasepursuanttotheregulationsoncaseclosure.59He/sheisprecludedfromapplyingprosecuto-rialdiscretionforthatpurpose.

    2.Initialappearanceorpresentmenthearing(audiencia de control de detencin)60

    Incasesofin fragranticrimes,lawenforcementandprosecutorsmustpresentthedetaineebeforeaGuaranteeJudgewithin24hoursofthearrest.Failuretodosowillleadtotheimmediatereleaseofthedefendant,aswillfailuretoappearbyanappropriaterepresentativeoftheProsecutorsOce(DeputyProsecutororPros-ecutorialAssistant).

    3.Complainthearing(audiencia de formalizacin de la investigacin)

    AccordingtoArticle229oftheCriminalProceduresCode,atthecomplainthearingtheprosecutorcommunicatestothedefendant,inthepresenceoftheGuaranteeJudge,thattheOPPiscurrentlyinvestigatinghim/herwithregardtooneormorespecic crimes.Thedefendantmustbe presentat thishearing.InSpanish,thisphaseiscalledformalizacin de la investigacin orformalizationofthein-vestigation.ThisstagediersfromanarraignmentinthetypicalU.S.procedureinthatthedefendantdoesnotenterapleainChile.Moreover,anadmissionofguiltbyadefendantinChile(reconocimiento de responsabilidad)atanystageinthepro-

    58. Id.Thisisoneoftheverylimitedcasesinthenewsysteminwhichthejudgeisempoweredtotaketheinitiativeorordertheprosecutortoproceedinagivenfashion.

    59. Id. art.248.

    60. Id. art.94.

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    ceedingsdoesnotprecludeatrial.Itmay,however,leadtotheuseofanalternativeprocedure(seebelow).

    Theformalizationofthecaseatthecomplainthearinghasthreemajoreects:61

    1. Thestatuteoflimitationsonthecriminalactionissuspended;62

    2. Thestatutorytimeframefortheinvestigationcommences(amaximumoftwoyears);and

    3. The prosecutor is barred from using the temporary archivediscretionarycasemanagementtool.

    Moreover,atthecomplainthearing(orthereafter),thepartiescanrequestaseriesofadditionalproceduralactions,including:

    1. Interimmeasures(reliefofassets,pretrialdetention,etc.)63

    2. Alternativedisputeresolutionmeasures64

    3. JudgesapprovalofRestitutionAgreements65

    4. Reductioninthetimeallottedfortheinvestigation5. Immediatetrial66

    6. Simpliedproceeding.67

    4.Alternativedisputeresolutionmechanisms68

    Duringtheinvestigativephaseandafterthecomplainthearing,theprosecutor,publicdefender,victimand/orcriminalcomplainantcanproposetheuseofnon-traditionaldisputeresolutionmechanisms.ThenewCPPprovidesfortwosuchmechanisms:

    1. RestitutionAgreements(acuerdos reparatorios).69Thisoptionisavailableonlywhenthecaseinvolvesalegally-availableprotectedinterestofaneconomicnature(forexample,propertyorassets),minorinjuryor

    crimesofnegligence(includingnegligenthomicide).2. Deferredadjudicationortemporarysuspensionoftheproceeding

    61. Id.art.233.

    62. Thestatuteissuspended,butnotinterrupted.Inotherwords,thetimeremaininginthestatuteoflimitationsresumesiftheprosecutionsubsequentlydecidesnottoproceedwiththecase.

    63. Id.art.232.

    64. Id.art.245.

    65. Id.art.241.

    66. Id.art.235.

    67. Id.art.390.

    68. Id.book2,tit.I6.

    69. Id.art.241.

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    ( suspension condicional del procedimiento).70 Adjudication can be deferredforrst-timeoendersforaperiodofbetweenoneandthreeyearsaslongasthetimetobeserved,werethedefendanttobeconvicted,

    isunderthreeyears.Thecasewillreturntocourtforprosecutionifthedefendantischargedwithanewcrimeduringtheperiodofthesuspensionorotherwiseviolatestheconditionsofthedeferral.71

    5.Closeoftheinvestigation72

    TheOPPcancloseacaseatanytimeduringtheinvestigativephase(cappedbylawattwoyears)bycommunicatingthisintenttotheGuaranteeJudge.Within

    10days 73 ofthatcommunication, the prosecutormaytakeone ofthreeactions(Article248):

    1. Desist (decisin de no perseverar en el procedmiento)74becauseofalackofevidenceonwhichtobaseanaccusation.Inthiscase,theGuarantee

    Judgeordersanyexistinginterimmeasuresliftedandthestatuteoflimitationscontinuesitscoursenormally.

    2. Request that the case be dismissed with ( sobreseimiento temporal) orwithoutprejudice(sobreseimiento denitivo).75Inthelattercase,thedefensecanopposetheprosecutorsrequestandaskthejudgetoorderthe

    casedismissedwithprejudice.

    70. Id. art.238.

    71. Id. art.239.

    72. Id. art.247.

    73. Shouldtheprosecutorfailtoclosethecaseasrequiredbylaw,thedefensecanforcethecaseclosedadministratively.Inextremecases,thiscanleadtothedismissalofchargesforthedefen-dantand/ortochargesbroughtagainsttheprosecutorforderelictionofduty.

    74. Id.art.248(c).

    75. Id. art.248(b).Petitionfordismissalwithprejudice:PursuanttoArticle250oftheCPP,theGuaranteeJudge

    grantssuchdismissalwhenclearly:a)nocrimewascommitted;b)thedefendantdidnotcommit the crime; c) there are extenuating circumstances (mental illness, for example);d)criminalliabilityhasbeenexhausted(time-barred);e)whenaneventhassubsequentlytranspiredthatprecludedcriminalresponsibility;f)thematterhasalreadybeentried( res

    judicata).TheGuaranteeJudgemaynot,however,orderdismissalwithprejudicewheninter-nationaltreatiesprohibitacrimefrombeingsubjecttoastatuteoflimitationsoramnesty.

    Petitionfordismissalwithoutprejudice:PursuanttoArticle252oftheCPP,theGuaranteeJudgeordersdismissalwithoutprejudicewhen:a)aftercommittingthecrime,thedefendantbe-camementallyderanged;b)whenthedefendantfailstoappearandisdeclaredincontempt;

    c)whenacivilmatterneedstobedecidedbeforethecriminalcasecanbeheard(forexample,determiningfamilytiestodecidewhetherahomicideisaggravatedonthegroundsofthoseties).Dismissalwithoutprejudiceputsastayontheproceeding.TheGuaranteeJudgecanreopenthecaseattherequestofanyofthepartieswhentheobstacletoproceedinghasbeenremoved.

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    3. File a formal accusation:76 should the prosecutor decide to presscharges,heorshemaydosoinwritingororallyinaspecialhearingbeforetheGuaranteeJudge.Criminalcomplainantsmayadhereto

    thecharginginstrument.Atthispoint,theJudgewillsetadateforapretrialconference.

    6.Theaccusation

    Thecharginginstrumentorstatementmustcontain:77

    1. Theidentityofthedefendant(s)anddefensecounsel;2. Adescriptionofthefactsofthecaseandtheirlegalattributes;

    3. Adescriptionofanymitigatingfactorsinvolvedinthecase;4. Theformofparticipationintheeventsthedefendantischargedwith;5. Adescriptionofapplicablelegalprinciples;6. AnoutlineoftheevidencetheOPPintendstopresentattrialincluding,

    asageneralrule,alistofwitnesses(ifapplicable);7. Thesentencerequested;and8. When applicable, a petition to proceed using the Abbreviated

    Procedure(thisisthelastchanceforsucharequest).

    Theaccusationmayonlyrefertothoseeventsandindividualsincludedinthe

    originalcomplaint,althoughthelegalattributesmaybedierent(forexample,thecomplaintdescribedtheeventsasahomicideandtheaccusationdescribesthesameeventsasnegligenthomicide).78

    Itisimportanttonote,however,thatshouldtheprosecutoroptnottopresschargesatthisstage(no perseverar),theattorneysforacriminalcomplainantmayleaprivateaccusation(assumingtheyhavebeenpresentthroughoutthepro-cesspursuanttothecorrespondingprovisionsoflaw).Inthiscase,asmentionedabove,preparationsfortrialwouldmoveforwardwithoutthepresenceofthepub-licprosecutor.79

    b.Intermediate Phase

    Thefundamentalcomponentoftheintermediatephaseisthepretrialconfer-enceondiscoveryandmotionsbeforetheGuaranteeJudge.Within24hoursofthepresentationofthecharginginstrumentbytheprosecutor,theGuaranteeJudgeissuesanorderforapretrialconferencetobeheldinthesubsequent25to35days.80

    76. Id.art.93(f).

    77. Id. art.259.

    78. Id.art.259.

    79. Id.art.258.

    80. Id.art.260.

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    Althoughthepretrialconferenceisthelastopportunityforalternativedisputemechanismsandothertrial-avertingprocedures,81asintheU.S.system,thishear-ingfocusesprimarilyonevidentiaryexclusion82andingeneralseekstopavethe

    wayforthetrialtoproceeduninterruptedbyancillarymattersorissuesofproce-dure.U.S.-trainedattorneysarelikelytondChilesrulesofevidenceandstipula-tionsquitefamiliar,withargumentscenteredonsuchissuesasfruitofthepoison-oustreeandotheradmissibilitydoctrines.PerhapsthegreatestdierenceisthatChiledoesnot haveaseparatecodeofevidence(althoughthisauthorbelievesthatoneisverymuchneeded)andprovisionsarefoundprimarilyintheCPPand,alternately,inotherbodiesoflaw.

    Theresultofthepretrialconferenceisasummaryofthecasecontaining: 83ade-scriptionofthecharges,requestedpenalty,anystipulationsthepartiesmayagreetoandalistofevidencetobesubmitted,includingthenamesofwitnessesandthe

    subjectmatterstheywilltestifyto(butnotthecontentofthattestimony).Asnotedabove,thisdocumentisknownasan auto de apertura de juicio oralandistheonlyin-formationonthecasethetrialcourtjudgeswillreceive.

    c.Trial Phase

    ThetrialisconductedbeforeapanelofthreejudgessittingonanOralCriminalTrialCourt.Aclerkcallsthecourttoorder,thejudgesenterandafteraseriesofadministrativeprocedures(includingverifyingtheidentityofthedefendantandthereadingofthecharges),theattorneysproceedwithopeningremarks.84

    Ingeneral,thetrialstructureisverysimilartothatofanyU.S.court,withtheprosecutorcallinghis/herwitnessesrst,cross-examinationbythedefense, 85fol-lowedbythedefensewitnessesandcross-examinationbytheprosecutorand,-nally,closingarguments.Perhapsthebiggestvariationscomeintheuseofobjec-tions,therighttorebuttalandtherightofjudgestoposequestionstowitnessestoclarifytheinformationreceivedondirectandcrossexaminationofevidence.86

    Unliketheoldsystem,whichusedahighlyregulatedsystemofevidence(pruebatasada),theCPPspecicallycallsforasystemoffreeorunregulatedevidence

    (libertad de prueba).87

    Inessence,thismeansthatanyevidencedeclaredadmissibleatthepretrialconferencecanbepresented.Thejudgesassessthevalueofeachwitnessorexpertstestimonyandpresentthatassessmentintheruling. 88Thus,

    81. Id.art.271.

    82. Id. arts.275-76.

    83. Id.art.277.

    84. Id.art.325.

    85. Id.art.326.

    86. Id.

    87. Id.art.295.

    88. Id. art.342(c).

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    statementsinadmissibleinmostU.S.courtsunderhearsayrestrictionsareallowedinChileancourtrooms.

    Asageneralrule,onlyevidencesubmittedviaoraltestimonywillbeconsideredbyjudges,withwrittendocumentsservingsolelytosupportthosestatements. 89Forexample,apoliceocerwillhavetotestifyastothecontentsofapolicereportinorderforthatevidencetobeincludedintherecord. 90Thereportitselfisnotsucient.91

    Chiledoesnotcurrentlyhaveatranscriptionserviceavailableinitscourtrooms.Instead,audioofallhearingsisrecordedandkeptinanelectronicle.Copiesaremadeavailabletoparticipantsandmaybecitedduringappellateproceedings.92

    Immediatelyafterclosingarguments, 93thejudgesdeliberatebeforeannouncinganacquittalorconviction.Ifthetrialhasrunovertwodaysorhasbeenparticu-

    larlycomplex,judgesmaydefertheannouncementoftheirdecisionforupto24hours.94Ifthedefendantisfoundguilty,petitionsforclemencyareheard,95adateissetforsentencing(generallywithinvedays) 96andthedefendantisremanded(whenapplicable).

    Therulingitself,containing,97inter alia,areviewofthefactsandcircumstancesofthecase,alltheevidencepresented,thelegalandtheoreticalgroundsforthedecision,isdraftedbyoneofthejudgeswhoheardthecase.Asummaryofthisdecisionisreadatthesentencinghearinginopencourt.98

    III. sENTENcINg PARAMETERs

    Chilessentencingsystemincludesasetofmandatoryparameters(asopposedtoguidelines),supplementedbydiscretionaryassessmentofaggravatingandmiti-gatingcircumstances.Thus,althoughtheprosecutororcriminalcomplainantmayrequestagivenamountofprisontimewithinthemandatoryrange,thejudgesmayincreaseordiminishthesentencebasedontheirreadingofthelegalgroundsforthecase.

    89. Onemajorexceptionistheresultofdrugtestsperformedtoascertainthepurityofsubstancesseizedbylawenforcement.Byspecialprovisionoflaw,theseresultsareadmissibleevenifthetechnicianwhoperformedthemdoesnottestifyinopencourt.

    90. Id.art.329.

    91. Id.art.334.

    92. Id.art.41.

    93. Id.art.339.

    94. Id.art.343.

    95. Id.

    96. Id.art.344.

    97. Id.art.342.

    98. Id.art.346.

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    Crimesareclassiedasserious,lessseriousandminorormisdemeanors,witheachclassicationinturnbrokendownintothreedegrees(grados)orlevels:99

    1. Themost seriouscrimes carry asentence of life in prison (withoutparole),whichreplacedthedeathpenaltysomeyearsago.

    2. Otherseriouscrimes(crmenes)carrysentencesofbetween5yearsand1dayto20yearsofprison.

    3. Othersomewhatlessseriouscrimes(simples delitos)carrysentencesofbetween61daysand5yearsofprisontime.

    4. Other minor crimes and certain misdemeanors ( faltas penales) carrysentencesofbetween1and50daysofincarceration.

    Thesystemcanbesummarizedasfollows:100

    Typeofcrime TotalTime LowerEnd MidRange UpperEnd

    Serious 5years+1dayto20years

    5years+1dayto10years

    10years+1dayto15years

    15years+1dayto20years

    LessSerious 61daysto5years

    61to540days

    541daysto3years

    3years+1dayto5years

    Minor/Misdemeanor

    1to60days 1to20days 21to40days 41to60days

    Supplementarysentencesincludesuspensionfrompublicservice,bansonexer-cisingcertainprofessions,nes,etc.101

    IV. sTATUTEoF LIMITATIoNs102

    Theresponsibilityoftheaccusedexpireswhenhepassesaway,hasservedhissentence,receivesamnestyorpardon,ortheforgivenessofthevictim(thelatteronlyforso-calledprivateactioncrimes103)orwhenthestatuteoflimitationshas

    runitscourse(Article93,CriminalCode).InChile,the statutecanexpire foreither criminalaction (accin penal)orthe

    sentence(pena).

    Thestatutoryperiodforcriminalactionbeginstorunonthedateonwhichtheoensewascommitted.104Itisnotablethatiftwoandonehalfyearsormorehave

    99. CodigoPenal[CriminalCode],art.21(Chile)(hereafterCP).

    100. See id.art.56.

    101. Id.art.22-23.

    102. Id.book1,tit.IV.

    103. See, supra note6.

    104. CP.art.95.

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    elapsedbetweenthedateofthecommissionoftheoenseandthedateonwhichtheinvestigationbegan,thesanctionismitigatedundercertaincircumstances.105

    Thestatutoryperiodisinterruptedwhenapersoncommitsanothercrimeormisdemeanor(interruptioncausesanewstatutoryperiodtorunalloveragain).106Further,Article100oftheCriminalCodeprovidesthatforanyperiodtheof-fenderspendsabroadduringtherunningofthestatuteoflimitations,suchperiodextendstheinitiallimitationsperiodonedayforeverydayspentabroadtoamaxi-mumofveyears.

    Speciallimitationsareapplicableforcertaincrimes(suchassexoenses),butasageneralrulethestatutewilllapseandcrimeswillnolongerbeactionableafter:107

    a)15yearsoftheoenseforthemostseriouscrimes.b)10yearsforotherseriouscrimes.

    c)5yearsforlessseriouscrimes.d)6monthsforminorcrimesandcertainmisdemeanors.Sentencesalsoexpirewithinthesetimeframes,startingonthedateofthecon-

    victionorbreach(ifthedefendanthadstartedservinghersentence).108

    V. MUTUAL LEgAL AssIsTANcE

    Although Chile does not have a single entity responsible for internationalmutualassistanceincriminalmatters,requestshavetraditionallybeenreceived

    throughdiplomaticchannels,thatisviatheMinistryofForeignAairs(MFA)orcentralauthoritiesasdesignatedininternationaltreaties.FromtheFMA,theyaredispatchedtothecompetentauthorityonacase-by-casebasis.Currently,however,requestsforsomeformsofassistance(informationandotheraspectsunderpros-ecutorialpurview)canalsobeaddresseddirectlytotheOPP.Thecatchisthatiftheassistancerequestedinvolvesactivitiespriortotheroll-outofthenewproce-duresinSantiago(2005),theOPPmayhavetoremitthepetitiontotheMFAforprocessing.

    Ifthematterinvolvesa requestforactionbya court, thepetitionshouldbeaddressedtotheMFAandnottheOPP(theMFAforwardsthepetitiontothe

    SupremeCourtwhich,inturn,sendsittotheappropriatecourtofrstinstance).IftherequestisbasedonaninternationaltreatyinwhichaCentralAuthorityisdesignated,itshouldbeaddresseddirectlytothatauthority.Intheabsenceofatreaty,theprinciplesofreciprocityandinternationalcooperationapply.Thatsaid,itisimportanttonotethatundertheoldproceduralsystemtheSupremeCourthasbeenknowntorejectlettersrogatoryforassistanceintheabsenceofatreatywhentherequestisforenforcementmeasures.

    105. Id.arts.96,103.

    106. Id.art.96.

    107. Id.art.94.

    108. Id.art.97.

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    VI. ExTRAdITIoN

    PursuanttoArticle440,requestsforpassiveextraditionmustbeaddressedtotheMinistryofForeignAairswhichthenforwardsthemtotheSupremeCourt.TheMFAactssolelyasocialconduit.ThedecisiononthegrantingorrefusaloftheextraditionfallstoaJusticeoftheSupremeCourt,intherstinstance,andtoatribunaloftheSupremeCourtuponappealormotionofannulment.109

    Should the requestingstatefail toappoint otherrepresentation, the OPPisresponsibleforrepresentingtheinterestsofthepetitioner 110inallcasesinvolvingeventsafterJune16,2005.TheOPPisrequiredbylawtorespecttheprincipleofobjectivityandmustensureproperapplicationofthelawandbringtolightallevidence,evenifdoingsoisdisadvantageoustothepetitioner.

    Atreaty isnot required for extraditiontobegranted.Domestic legislation111

    onlyrequiresthattheindividualrequestedbeinChileandbechargedwithacrimepunishablebyatleastoneyearofimprisonment(orhasbeensentencedtothat)inthepetitioningnation.Moreover,ChiledoesnothaveaConstitutionalorlegalstatutethatimpedestheextraditionofitscitizens.Rather,thelaw112setsforththatextraditionshallbegrantedif:

    1. Theidentityofthepersonrequestedisproven.2. The crime for which extradition is petitioned is eligible for such

    proceedings pursuant to treaties or, in the absence of those, is in

    keepingwiththeprinciplesofinternationallaw.3. The background information on the proceedings suggests that inChilethedefendantwouldbechargedasaresultoftheeventsallegedagainst him. Inotherwords, documentation must be submitted toprovidesucientbasisfortheprosecutionofthedefendantinChilehadthecrimebeencommittedthere.

    Althoughdomesticlawdoesnotcontaingroundsforrefusal,suchreasonscanbefoundininternationaltreatiesratiedbyChileandgenerallyacknowledgedprinciplesofinternationallaw.SupremeCourtcaselawhasrecognized,among

    others, the contents of the Code on Private International Law, known as theBustamanteCodeandtheMontevideoConventiononExtraditionasillustra-tiveofthoseprinciples.Thus,petitionsmayberefusedifthey:113

    1. Lack double incrimination. That is,when theevents the individualsubjecttoextraditionisaccusedoffailtoconstituteacrimeinthepetitionedcountry.

    109. CPParts.441,450.

    110. Id.art.443.

    111. Id.art.440.

    112. Id.art.449.

    113. MontevideoConventiononExtradition,art.3,Dec.26,1933,T.S.882,165L.N.T.S.45.

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    2. Are grounded in political or related crimes. The exception is theassassinationoftheHeadofStateoranyotherpersoninapositionofauthority.TerrorismistreatedasacommoncrimeinChileratherthan

    apoliticalcrime.3. Intend to secure the defendants appearance before an Ad Hoc

    tribunal.4. Involvecrimesofexclusivelymilitaryjurisdiction.5. Involvecrimesnotcurrentlysubjecttoprosecutioninthepetitioning

    orthe petitioned Statebecause ofamnesty,pardon,orlapseofthestatuteoflimitations.

    6. Involve a person tried and acquitted, convicted and who servedthattime,orifthereisatrialpendingagainstsaidindividualinthepetitioned State for the same events upon which the extradition

    requestisgrounded.

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    Office of the

    Public

    Prosecutor

    (OPP)

    Opt Out (decide not to investigate)

    Streamlined Procedures

    Temporary Archive

    Suspect Arrested

    Crime Report

    Sua Sponte

    In flagrante delicto

    Complaint Hearing

    Investigation

    Close of the Investigation

    Accusation

    Simplified Procedure

    Abbreviated Procedure

    Alternative ResolutionMechanisms

    Dismissal

    Case Closed

    Interim Measures

    Pretrial Conference

    Oral Trial

    Opening Arguments

    Introduction of Evidence

    Closing Arguments

    Adjudication

    Review Options

    Acquittal

    ConvictionMotion to Annul

    Motion to Review

    Independent CriminalComplaint

    Guarantee Court Discretionary Case Management Tools:

    Initial Court AppearanceMonitoring Procedure

    Restitution Agreements Deferred Adjudication