Magistrate evaluation: The challenges of the Supreme Court of Justice under the scrutiny of the CNM
The National Council of the Magistracy (CNM) concluded the interview phase for seven judges of the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ), a decisive process to determine the continuity of these magistrates in their roles. During the hearings, crucial topics such as artificial intelligence, judicial independence, productivity, and legal reforms took center stage, highlighting the different visions for the future of the Dominican justice system.
The judges evaluated were Justiniano Montero Montero, Francisco Jerez Mena, Vanessa Acosta Peralta, Samuel Arias Arzeno, Alejandro Bello Ferreras, Fran Soto Sánchez, and Rafael Vásquez Goico, who presented their management reports and proposals for improvement.
Technological and judicial ethical vision
Justiniano Montero Montero highlighted the importance of technological modernization, although he was emphatic in pointing out the limits of artificial intelligence. According to the magistrate, while technology optimizes processes, AI cannot replace the role of the judge, warning about the risks of these tools generating erroneous information with an appearance of validity, which would compromise judicial ethics.
Independence and the phenomenon of parallel trials
The independence of the courts from media pressure is a latent challenge. Parallel trials in public opinion can generate complex tensions between the right to public proceedings and the guarantees of due process.
Francisco Jerez Mena
For his part, Francisco Jerez Mena highlighted the complexity that courts face in cases of high media exposure and technical files, such as those linked to money laundering.
Access to justice and productivity
- Vanessa Acosta Peralta: Focused on the protection of citizens with fewer resources, denouncing legal loopholes that can leave people defenseless in foreclosure proceedings.
- Samuel Arias Arzeno: Defended operational efficiency, highlighting that his chamber has issued more than 27,000 decisions in seven years, with resolution rates exceeding 98%.
Reforms, gender-based violence and quality of judgments
In the real estate sector, Alejandro Bello Ferreras proposed reforming Law 108-05 to allow non-conflicting land demarcations to be managed administratively, seeking to decongest the courts. In another vein, Fran Soto Sánchez emphasized that gender-based violence goes beyond physical aggression, including behaviors of control and dominance that limit women’s freedom.
Finally, Rafael Vásquez Goico offered a critical perspective on judicial productivity. For the magistrate, the number of rulings should not be the only indicator of success, as quality and legal reasoning are indispensable for strengthening the rule of law.
With these presentations, the CNM now has in its hands the final decision on the ratification of these profiles, a step that will define the composition and direction of the Supreme Court in the coming years.
