萬國法律事務所

Taiwan's Judicial Yaun has passed several proposed amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure (the "CCP") regarding the protection of victims of crimes. As such, these proposals will now be sent to the Legislative Yuan for review.

The amendments, which seek to enhance protection of victims of crime, include provisions to require Courts to protect victims’ privacy and which allow victims or defendants to request prosecutors or judges to introduce them to relevant organizations for rehabilitation. Additionally, provisions that seek to increase participation by crime victims include requirements that Courts notify crime victims to participate in preliminary proceedings and trials, where they may review the evidence and comment on the sentences.

In order to better protect the human rights of defendants, the Judicial Yuan proposes to extend the scope of compulsory defense to more criminal cases. As such, except for cases to which summary procedures apply, all defendants who do not plead guilty must be aided by lawyers during criminal procedures. Some critics have expressed concerns regarding the cost and financial burden such amendments would likely have on the Taiwan Government.