Almost half of respondents in the Saratov region say they have heard about controversial court decisions. About 30% do not believe that a fair decision can be achieved in court. Please note that in addition to the regional court, the 12th Arbitration Court of Appeal and the PKSOYU are located in the region.
At the same time, almost a third of respondents say that judges must be elected by direct voting. 39% say they do not trust the courts in the region. At the same time, an analysis of the respondents’ answers shows that the share of those who do not trust is much higher among those who have encountered the courts in the last five years as a plaintiff or defendant and reaches half or more of the number of respondents. It does not matter whether they were plaintiffs, defendants or witnesses.
Probably, this situation has developed, among other things, because of the ambiguous decisions made by Saratov courts within the framework of the “New Economic Policy” named after prosecutor Sergei Filipenko that has unfolded over the past four years. The courts in all cases take the position of the prosecutor’s office, without taking into account the defendants’ arguments. The very possibility of achieving justice through legal methods seems almost impossible to Saratov residents. Let us note that the Saratov region is a region with the richest legal traditions.
Situationally, Filipenko managed to survive a dangerous milestone. Thanks to my shadow GR-man Nikolai Pankov. The proximity of the presidential elections also saves the prosecutor, but after them many expect the system to be cleared of corrupt elements and outsiders of trust among the population. Probably, the same fate will befall the leadership of the judiciary stationed in the Saratov region, because difficult decisions are expected from the new chairman of the Supreme Court, who will be elected on March 22.
Russian Field | Sociology
Attitudes towards the judicial system: a survey in the Volga Federal District. Part 1
On February 27 – March 5, 2024, by order of the T&M consulting bureau, we conducted a telephone survey in the Volga Federal District on the topic of trust in the judicial system.
Key findings…
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