The military justice in the State of Pernambuco after the military regime

an authoritarian legacy

Authors

  • Jorge Zaverucha

Keywords:

Democracy, Military Justice, Authoritarianism

Abstract

This article is based on research conducted in the archives of the Military Auditorship of the State of Pernambuco. The research shows the violation of the basic principle of equality before the law due to the existence of two court systems - civil and military - with different procedures and sentences for similar crimes committed by the civil and military police. The article demonstrates how the authoritarian regime broadened the scope of military jurisdiction, a situation that has changed little fifteen years later. Military Justice continues to function in a hybrid manner. It belongs to the Judiciary, but the majority of its judges are military. Thus, the Military Police is able to influence the outcome of certain judgments without having to assume the burden of the decision, since the final responsibility belongs to the civil Judiciary. Finally, the article emphasizes the incompatibility between the continuity of this type of military justice and a democracy seeking to consolidate itself.

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Published

2000-01-01

How to Cite

ZAVERUCHA, Jorge. The military justice in the State of Pernambuco after the military regime: an authoritarian legacy. Brazilian Journal of Criminal Science, São Paulo, v. 29, n. 29, p. 301–329, 2000. Disponível em: https://publicacoes.ibccrim.org.br/index.php/RBCCRIM/article/view/3937. Acesso em: 20 oct. 2026.
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