Italy - Criminal procedural law: Structure of criminal proceedings and Courts
Italian Criminal Courts are divided in Judge of the fact (law and fact) and the Supreme Court, that decides only about the respect of legislation.
First degree Courts are Assize Courts, Tribunals, Judges of the Peace:
Assize Courts are involved of very serious offences, such as voluntary manslaughter, massacres, enslavement, trafficking in persons and others punishable by life imprisonment.
Tribunals are composed in Preliminary investigation Judge, Preliminary hearing Judge and single or collegial Tribunal.
The Judge of the Peace decides on minor offences and, unlike other judges, does not impose custodial sentences, but only substitution penalties or fines.
Eventually, there are some special Courts, which decide on offences committed by minors and others those serving military personnel: Tribunal for Minors (not of Minors) and Military Tribunals.
