The Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) recently released its 63rd batch of guiding cases. The batch includes five complex criminal cases where the SPP lodged protests, all categorized as criminal protests for retrial.
The released cases exhibit three notable characteristics. First, in terms of case type, all five cases are major complex cases involving criminal protests, primarily focusing on difficult and intricate issues related to fact determination, evidence admissibility, and evidence review and evaluation. They are both representative and instructive.
Second, regarding protest outcomes, the released cases resulted in both convictions being overturned and acquittals being reversed to convictions, often involving fundamental reversals of original judgments.
Third, in terms of rule summarization, 16 judicial rules have been distilled from the cases. Focused on evidence review and evaluation, these rules provide clear guidance for case handling and also address relevant procedural issues.
The head of the SPP's Procuratorial Department for Major Crimes emphasized that procuratorates should take the release of these guiding cases as an opportunity to reinforce the principle of evidence-based adjudication, strengthen capacity in evidence review and application, and intensify efforts to supplement and strengthen the evidence.
The official added that efforts should also be made to enhance the effectiveness of legal supervision, refine supporting mechanisms, and strengthen coordination in protest work, with a view to comprehensively improving the quality and efficiency of adjudication supervision, handling every case with high quality and efficiency, and ensuring that the people perceive fairness and justice in each judicial case.
