Diagnóstico de Eficiencia y Eficacia sobre el Juzgamiento de Delitos en los Tribunales de Sentencia y Propuestas de Mejora

The project was part of the Proyecto Fortalecimiento del Sector de Justicia, which focused on implementing the justice system in these six municipalities. The consultancy was conducted by Checchi and Company Consulting, Inc., with Dr. Manuel Rojas Salas as the lead consultant. The project was supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The consultancy aimed to identify the causes of delays in the judiciary and propose improvements to increase efficiency and effectiveness. The consultancy team visited all the judicial circuits in the project area, although they were unable to visit the Tribunales Primero, Quinto, and Sexto de Sentencia in San Salvador due to time constraints. The team reviewed physical files of selected cases, analyzed the proceedings from the moment the case was filed, and conducted interviews with judges, prosecutors, and other stakeholders. The consultancy team used a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data. They reviewed statistical reports from the six municipalities, conducted interviews with judges and prosecutors, and analyzed physical files of selected cases. The team also conducted a closed-ended survey with seven questions to gather information from judges and prosecutors about the causes of delays in the judiciary. The consultancy team found that the majority of cases with delayed judgments had multiple causes. They identified that the main causes of delays were related to the actions of the judicial authority, the prosecution, and the police. The team concluded that the judiciary in El Salvador was facing significant challenges in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. The consultancy team proposed several recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the judiciary in El Salvador. They suggested that the judiciary should prioritize the resolution of cases, improve communication between judges, prosecutors, and police, and increase the use of technology to facilitate the processing of cases. The team also recommended that the prosecution should prioritize the investigation and prosecution of cases, and that the police should improve their investigative techniques. The consultancy team emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of delays in the judiciary, including the lack of resources, inadequate infrastructure, and inadequate training for judges, prosecutors, and police. They also highlighted the need for greater coordination and communication between the different branches of the justice system. The consultancy team concluded that the judiciary in El Salvador faced significant challenges in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. They proposed several recommendations to address these challenges and improve the functioning of the judiciary. The team emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of delays and improves the coordination and communication between the different branches of the justice system.