Due Process and Seclusion in Argentina: From Words to Facts

Abstract

This study examines gender differences in the criminal justice processing of defendants in Argentina. The Argentinian charter of rights guarantees a number of criminal procedure rights for individuals accused of crimes. Using the results of a 2013 survey of inmates held in Argentinian federal prisons and prisons from the Buenos Aires Prison Service, gender differences in the processing of defendants was found. Women’s treatment may be the result of paternalism or a product of a double-sanction imposed on women who violate traditional gender roles.

Keywords:

• Argentina
• due process
• gender
• law
• paternalism

Notes

Notes

Notes

1 Among which are the presumption of innocence, the right to defense, and due process.

2 Constitution of the Argentine Nation. Retrieved from https://bibliotecadigital.csjn.gov.ar/constitucion-traduccion-ingles.pdf

3 The sample is representative and stratified by type of prison and gender.

4 Delicto flagrante refers to the individuals who were arrested on the same day of the event of which they are accused. In these cases, it is not mandatory to show a written arrest warrant to proceed with the arrest.

5 The right to make a phone call, although not expressly recognized by the law, is acknowledged by state institutions and can thus be considered to be a right nowadays.

1 Entre las cuales se encuentran la presunción de inocencia, el derecho a la defensa, y el debido proceso.

2 La muestra es representativa y estratificada por tipo de cárcel y por género.

3 Consideramos como flagrancia a quienes fueron detenidos/as durante el mismo día del hecho por el que se los/las acusa. En estos casos, exhibir una orden de detención por escrito no es obligatorio para proceder a la detención.

4 El derecho a realizar una llamada telefónica, si bien no está directamente previsto en la ley, sí está reconocido por las autoridades estatales y, por lo tanto, puede ser igualmente considerado como un derecho en la actualidad.