Legal culture and image in the Brazilian courts

Authors

  • Vicente Riccio Law School Federal University of Juiz de Fora
  • Clarissa Diniz Guedes Law School Federal University of Juiz de Fora

Keywords:

Legal Culture, Image, Court Decision, Brazil, cultura jurídica, imagen, decisión judicial, Brasil

Abstract

This article discusses the interpretation of images by Brazilian courts and how the legal culture is part of this process. The use of the image as a means of proof differs qualitatively from the evidence traditionally applied in the judiciary, such as documents or witnesses. The image is characterized by instantaneity, emotionality, and immediacy. In addition, the media allow the construction of different meanings, implicit or explicit. The analysis varies according to the nature of the legal systems. In the adversarial legal system (Anglo-Saxon) the images are submitted to cross-examination and debated orally. In the civil law system, the role of the magistrate is preponderant, being responsible for the images’ validity. The research found that magistrates incorporate the content of their videos into their decisions based on experts’ opinions or witnesses’ testimonials who have viewed the images. This highlights a legal culture that is based on formalism and is ill-prepared to deal with the particularities of the image.

Este artículo debate la interpretación de imágenes en los tribunales de Brasil y cómo la cultura jurídica es parte de ese proceso. El uso de la imagen como medio de prueba difiere cualitativamente de las pruebas que tradicionalmente se han aplicado en el poder judicial, como documentos o testigos. La imagen se caracteriza por la instantaneidad, la emocionalidad y la inmediatez. Por añadidura, los medios permiten la construcción de diferentes significados, implícitos o explícitos. El análisis varía dependiendo de la naturaleza de los sistemas de derecho. En el sistema jurídico adversarial (anglosajón), las imágenes se someten a contraanálisis y se debaten oralmente. En el sistema jurídico civil, el rol del magistrado es preponderante, ya que es responsable de la validez de las imágenes. La investigación halló que los magistrados incorporan el contenido de sus videos en sus decisiones, basándose en opiniones de expertos o declaraciones de testigos que han visto las imágenes. Ello pone de manifiesto una cultura jurídica que se basa en el formalismo y que está mal preparada para lidiar con las particularidades de la imagen.

Available from: https://doi.org/10.35295/osls.iisl/0000-0000-0000-1275

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Author Biographies

Vicente Riccio, Law School Federal University of Juiz de Fora

Associate Professor at Law School of Federal University of Juiz de Fora - Brazil.

Clarissa Diniz Guedes, Law School Federal University of Juiz de Fora

Law School, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil. Email: clarissadinizguedes@gmail.com

Published

30-03-2022 — Updated on 01-12-2022

How to Cite

Riccio, V. and Diniz Guedes, C. . (2022) “Legal culture and image in the Brazilian courts”, Oñati Socio-Legal Series, 12(6), pp. 1569–1588. Available at: https://opo.iisj.net/index.php/osls/article/view/1423 (Accessed: 28 March 2024).

Issue

Section

Norms and values within legal culture