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MoldovaThe Judicial System
Independent Moldova's judicial and legal systems are
carryovers from the Soviet period and conform to practices
that
were standard throughout the former Soviet Union. The most
powerful legal institution is the General Prosecution
Office,
formerly called the
Procuracy (see Glossary). Headed by
the
prosecutor general, the General Prosecution Office directs
investigations, orders arrests, and prosecutes criminal
cases. It
is also charged with administering the judicial system and
ensuring the legality of government actions. In the early
1990s,
the Procuracy's corruption and political ties to the
Communist
Party of Moldavia made it the subject of substantial
controversy
in discussions on constitutional reform. A significant
element of
political opinion advocated the abolition of or the
radical
transformation of the Procuracy.
Moldova's judicial system is based on a network of
local
courts and higher-level appeals courts, with the highest
court
being the Supreme Court (Curte Suprema). Judges do not
have a
tradition of political impartiality and independence, and
the
role of defense attorneys is limited. The government of
Moldova
has initiated reform efforts, but corruption and a lack of
organization continue to plague the legal system. Many
former
Soviet-era judges and chief prosecutors were replaced in
1990 and
1991 during a parliamentary review, but an independent
judiciary
was still not realized. The system was being reviewed in
1995.
Data as of June 1995
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