Jawność rozprawy głównej w procesie karnym w świetle nowelizacji Kodeksu postępowania karnego z 2016 roku

Abstract

The principle of openness, or transparency, being one of the guiding principles in criminal proceedings, is realised mainly during the first instance hearing. The amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure of 10 June 2016 introduced two model changes in this respect. The article is devoted to the discussion of these changes. The first one concerns the decision to hear a case in camera. The prosecutor has been granted the right to object to the exclusion of a public hearing, which is binding on the court. This regulation raises constitutional concerns because it undermines the constitutional right to a fair trial. A disclosure should be decided on by an impartial and independent court, acting as an independent state body best placed to resolve conflicting values. The second fundamental change is the establishment of an audiovisual registration of the course of the hearing by representatives of the mass media. The court must allow them to hear the trial whenever they so request. In this respect, the removal of the condition of respect for the important interest of the party involved in the criminal proceedings was analysed and assessed negatively. The extension of the transparency of the main hearing, however, was generally given a positive assessment.