Margue emphasized the need to strengthen penalties for such crimes and reduce delays in the justice process – especially following a recent high-profile case that drew national attention.
The minister also added that while vigilante justice is never acceptable, the public must trust that offenders will be held accountable through the courts. She outlined reforms already implemented or underway by the current government coalition to enhance the efficiency of the legal system. These include tougher penalties for sexual offenses introduced last year and modifications to the statute of limitations for assault cases.
One case of pedocrime recently shook the Grand Duchy, not just because of the nature of the crime – it had taken six years since Europol’s report for the culprit to be judged accordingly. The explanations for the delay include a lack of staff.
However, the justice minister assured her audience that the government are constantly recruiting judges, administrative staff and police officers.
At present, the government is developing altering previous regulations which would allow the justice system to alert businesses and clubs if there were a culprit active within their teams. It does not suffice to file a complaint. A specific instruction is a given, a chosen judgement, or a provisional verdict must have been spoken prior.
Margue seeks balance, especially in the simplification of the penal code. The time it takes for a procedure to begin has to become faster without trimming the defence’s rights too much. A work group has been instated to choose which steps could be edited out of the process.
Quicker procedures, more staff, yet appropriate spaces are also a necessity. The minister repeated what she had asserted in January – they had found provisional solutions to acquire more space next to their existing offices at Saint Esprit. The hunt for a judicial district is still ongoing, yet the ministry claimed intentionally taking more time to find the most appropriate location.
According to Margue, there will not be reduced service during the summer, as urgent procedures are going to be carried on as usual.
