NCJ Number
106708
Journal
C J International Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: (May-June 1987) Pages: 13-23
Date Published
1987
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Focusing on the Italian criminal justice system, this article briefly outlines the history of Rome and Italy from 500 B.C. to the present; discusses the government and judicial system; and highlights the organizational structure of the national police.
Abstract
Since 1946, Italy has been a democratic republic with a bicameral parliament, a separate judiciary, and an executive branch. Italy has 95 provinces and 20 regions. The Italian judicial system, based on Roman law and modified by the Napoleonic Code and subsequent statutes, consists of the hierarchy of ordinary courts, which try civil and criminal cases. The hierarchy has eight levels, with the lowest level dealing with civil cases and the highest dealing with appeals. Italy's centralized police is built primarily on three armed national-level organizations whose tasks and functions overlap: the customs or treasure police force; the public security police; and the Arma Dei Carabinieri, the elite police force. These three national police forces are to various degrees military in nature, and all become militarized in times of war. In addition, Italy has a municipal or civil police force. Major problems confronting the Italian police are terrorism, dangerous and illicit drugs, and drugs in relation to organized crime. Additional information is given on the Vatican police. 2 charts, 10 illustrations, and 23 references.