Commentary on Judgment No. 28489 of 2024: Validity of DASPO and Defense Rights

Judgment No. 28489 of 2024 represents an important point of reference in Italian jurisprudence regarding preventive measures against violence at sporting events. In it, the Court established that the validation of the access ban order for sporting events, known as DASPO, cannot occur before the expiration of the forty-eight-hour period from the notification to the recipient. This period is essential to ensure the defendant's right to defense, allowing them to review the documentation and submit any written defenses.

The Regulatory Context

The DASPO order is governed by Law No. 401 of December 13, 1989, which introduced preventive measures to counter violence in sporting events. According to Article 6, paragraph 3 of the aforementioned law, the validation of the order must respect certain fundamental rights of the recipient, including the right to defense. The Constitutional Court, in various rulings, has emphasized the importance of ensuring a fair trial and not unjustly compressing individual rights.

The Judgment and Its Implications

Measures aimed at preventing disturbances during sporting events - Validation order of the DASPO issued before the expiration of the 48-hour period - Consequences - General nullity - Verification of the harm suffered by the interested party - Necessity. In terms of measures aimed at preventing violence during sporting events, the validation of the order by the police chief imposing the obligation to report to the police authority (the so-called DASPO) cannot take place, under penalty of general nullity, before the expiration of the forty-eight-hour period from the notification, granted to the recipient to allow them to examine the documentation and submit defenses and objections, while remaining the necessity, should the aforementioned raise the violation of their right to defense, to verify, in concrete terms, the harm they have suffered.

The Court has thus highlighted that, if the forty-eight-hour period is not respected, the DASPO order is null. This implies that the police authority must wait for the established period before proceeding with the validation, thus ensuring adequate space for the defense rights of the interested party. It is therefore essential that the recipient of the order has the opportunity to review the documentation and submit any objections that may influence the final decision.

Conclusions

Judgment No. 28489 of 2024 represents a significant step towards the protection of individuals' fundamental rights, even in contexts of violence prevention. The necessity to respect the forty-eight-hour period for the validation of the DASPO is not only a procedural issue but an essential element to ensure a fair trial. Authorities must always consider the right to defense, avoiding that preventive measures compromise individual rights. Adherence to these procedures not only strengthens legality but also contributes to a more humane approach to managing security at sporting events.

Bianucci Law Firm