Expeditious Trials, Not Hastily Tried and Concluded Cases
Last edited: 2026-07-27
The MRT stabbing incident shocked all of Taiwan, stirring public emotions and leaving everyone wanting to do something. Legislators are no exception. While non-legal professionals grandstanding might be one thing, yesterday (the 26th) the Judiciary and Organic Laws and Statutes Committee demanded that the Judicial Yuan conduct a speedy trial, prompt adjudication, and prompt execution regarding this case, even threatening to boycott the judicial budget. This is truly appalling.
Legislators' interpellation took various forms, but we were even more concerned with the Secretary-General's response. From insisting that judicial administration would never interfere in individual cases to "violating this principle" in less than a minute, he began talking at length about the specific case, thereby compressing the judges' room for trial.
In fact, the Judicial Yuan had long ago issued the "Precautions for Courts Handling Major Criminal Cases to Ensure Speedy Trial and Prompt Conclusion," which severely compresses the timeline for case adjudication. According to Judicial Yuan Interpretation No. 530, the Judicial Yuan "may issue orders, but must not violate the principle of judicial independence." These "Precautions" are not entirely without problems, and in practice, they are often difficult to implement.
The public expects "speedy trials and prompt conclusions," and even hopes that all cases—not just those that have received the "gaze of favor from superiors"—will be handled this way. The purpose of promptness is to demand "fairness, legality, speed, and the protection of human rights and public interests," much like the legislative purpose proclaimed by the "Criminal Speedy Trial Act."
Most importantly, it must not obstruct the judges' independent trial space and judgment. The trial process also entails the needs to return to the truth, respond to victims, and restore peaceful social order. Blindly pursuing speed is likely just a hasty cover-up of another societal scar.
This article is an AI-generated translation of the original Chinese text. In the event of any discrepancy, the Chinese version shall prevail.
