Cantonal Criminal Court TITicino Bar Association concerned about shortage of judges at criminal court
SDA
14.1.2025 - 13:32
Massive delays are looming at the Ticino criminal court in Lugano due to a shortage of judges. (archive picture)
Keystone
The criminal court in Ticino is in a state of emergency. Following the immediate resignation of the court president and the dismissal of two judges in December, the court has to make do with two instead of five judges. The president of the Ticino Bar Association is concerned.
Keystone-SDA
14.01.2025, 13:32
SDA
The main problem is the large additional workload of the two criminal judges still in office, said the President of the Ticino Bar Association, Andrea Lenzin, when asked by the Keystone-SDA news agency. The two remaining judges must be able to guarantee the proper administration of criminal justice during this "bridging period". It is important that the situation does not have a negative impact on the trials, said Lenzin.
The President of the Grand Council's Justice and Security Committee, Fiorenzo Dadò (center), is also concerned about the situation. Trials have already had to be postponed, he told the radio and television station of Italian-speaking Switzerland RSI. Dadò could not be reached for comment. According to reports, the Presidium of the Ticino Grand Council will provide information on further steps this Tuesday.
Bad climate at the criminal court
At the beginning of January, the controversial president of the Ticino Cantonal Criminal Court, Mauro Ermani, submitted his immediate resignation due to health problems. However, the criminal court in Ticino has already been understaffed for several weeks: In mid-December, the Judicial Council removed two judges from office. The two judges' appeal against the decision is still pending.
The reason for the dismissal of the two judges was a complaint against Ermani for the offense of pornography. The Ticino Judicial Council described this as a "serious breach of their duties as magistrates". In September, Ermani was exonerated of the charge of pornography, but disciplinary proceedings against the president of the court were still pending. These were discontinued with Ermani's dismissal.
The Ticino Cantonal Criminal Court has been in the headlines for some time. Among other things, rumors have been circulating about a poor working atmosphere and alleged bullying against a secretary. That very secretary is said to have received a raunchy picture from Ermani via WhatsApp.