Judgment no. 44732 of 2024 on the European Arrest Warrant: Clarifications on Notification

Judgment no. 44732 of 2024, issued by the Court of Appeal of Lecce, focuses on a crucial aspect of the European arrest warrant procedure, namely the notification procedure in the absence of a trusted defender. The decision, which declares the appeal inadmissible, provides significant insights for understanding the legal dynamics that govern the matter.

The Notification Issue

The central theme of the judgment concerns the presence and role of the defender during the reading of the judgment in the hearing. As established in Article 17, paragraph 6, of Law No. 69 of April 22, 2005, the reading in the hearing is equivalent to a notification to all parties involved, even if they are not present. This principle is fundamental in the context of the European arrest warrant, where the timeliness and effectiveness of the communication of legal decisions can have a decisive impact.

European arrest warrant for abroad - Court of appeal decision - Reading in hearing - Presence of the substitute defender - Necessity of notification to the absent trusted defender, substituted - Exclusion. In the matter of the enforceable European arrest warrant, the reading in the hearing of the judgment is equivalent to notification to the parties, even if not present, as prescribed by Article 17, paragraph 6, of Law No. 69 of April 22, 2005, so that it does not need to be notified to the absent trusted defender, replaced in the hearing by another defender.

Legal Implications

The Court clarified that the presence of a substitute defender during the reading of the judgment does not require an additional notification to the absent trusted defender. This approach is based on the need to ensure a balance between the right to defense and the efficiency of the criminal procedure, preventing the lack of notification from compromising the execution of a European arrest warrant. In this sense, the judgment represents a step towards simplifying procedures, always respecting the rights of the defendants.

Conclusions

Judgment no. 44732 of 2024 provides important indications on the management of European arrest warrants, highlighting the fundamental role of reading in the hearing as a form of notification. This clarification is crucial for lawyers and legal professionals, as it underscores the importance of a correct interpretation of the rules regarding defense and communication of legal decisions. Jurisprudence continues to evolve, and this judgment may serve as a reference point for future similar cases.

Bianucci Law Firm