Local courts in Beijing
will compensate criminal suspects, who are held in custody and then
found not guilty, through a more simplified procedure to guarantee
citizens' legal rights, the Beijing High People's Court has
announced on September 1.
Starting from yesterday, suspects who are deemed to be innocent,
reversing the judgment of first instance, can directly ask the
original court for compensation.
In the past, a special organization under the courts had to
undertake a series of investigations to confirm whether or not a
suspect deserved compensation.
"Thus it needs less time now for those people that have been
under mistaken detention to get State compensation," Chi Qiang,
vice-president of the Beijing High People's Court, told a press
conference yesterday, where a total of 50 measures to better serve
the public and guarantee efficiency as well as justice were
revealed.
Meanwhile, also from yesterday, residents in need of help will
be able to find it at various courts in the capital.
Senior citizens, minors, disabled people, laid-off workers and
migrant workers who are living in poverty will not have to pay
court fees when claiming the recovery of maintenance expenses.
Disabled people, senior citizens and pregnant women will also be
given priority when applying to have a case placed on file.
Previously, the Beijing Fengtai District People's Court had
established a special group to look after blind, deaf and mute
plaintiffs.
"We never dodge residents' dissatisfaction with our court work,"
Chi said.
The high, intermediate and district levels of courts in Beijing
have received over 1,300 complaints and suggestions from residents
since the beginning of the year through holding symposiums,
interviews and investigations.
The measures adopted by Beijing's local courts are in response
to 23 measures recently issued by the Supreme People's Court to
improve efficiency and better serve the public.
(China Daily September 2, 2003)