NCJ Number
94958
Date Published
1982
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the provisions governing the trial of criminal cases in Tanzanian courts and discusses reasons for trial delays.
Abstract
Tanzania's criminal trials are governed by the Criminal Procedure Code and by the Magistrates' Courts Act 1963. The former governs trial procedure before the subordinate courts and the High Court, and the latter governs trials before the primary courts. There are numerous bottlenecks in Tanzania's criminal justice system, and they occur in every process of the system. For example, research reveals that it takes a long time after a case has been committed for trial to the High Court until the accused appears for trial, and data indicate that the police sometimes arrest individuals before they have completed their investigation. Then, once the public pressure is off them, the police take their time in continuing their investigation. As a result, the process becomes more difficult, because both exhibits and witnesses tend to disappear. The centralized operations of the Identification Bureau and the Government Chemist greatly contribute to delays in the administration of justice; it takes months for results of cases sent to these institutions to be returned to the police. Another bottleneck is the lack of magistrates; those available are already overburdened by an ever-increasing number of crimes. Although prison officials would like to offer rehabilitation programs, these existing problems must be resolved first. Five tables are included.