O Foro por prerrogativa de função: privilégio ou garantia? o problema de sua extensão aos parlamentares

Abstract

The dissertation deals with the existence of the original jurisdiction, foreseen in the Brazilian Constitution of 1988, to assure to some authorities the right of being judged by the country s highest Courts. More specifically, it examines the privilege given to Congressmen to be judged by the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court, introduced via a constitutional amendment in 1969, and which has, at late, received severe public criticism, due to the increase in politicians who are suspected of criminal involvement. Such privilege has not only drawn public criticism, but has also given rise to a number of academic debates, not to mention questionings from the political arena. The reason is that, different from common citizens, a special treatment is granted to some occupants of public offices, as a sort of guarantee, considering their importance in the state scene. It is argued that special jurisdiction is not more than a privilege, violating the basic tenets of isonomy and justice. And as such, it should not prosper within the Brazilian legal system. The recent attempts to include other individuals within the jurisdiction of the country s high courts have only contributed to increase the divergences. In this direction, from the approach of questions of jurisdiction, with the demonstration of the usual criterions known in Brazil, including the special jurisdiction, is presented the institute of parliamentary immunity, detaching its origins, as well as the historical evolution of the phenomenon in the Brazilian s Constitutions and the experience of other countries. After that, the current divergences about the subject are argued, including the cancellation of the Supreme Federal Court s Abridgement n. 394 and the related legislative proposals. Administrative improbity is also approached, including the controversies on its legal nature and the venue jurisdiction to judge political agents. In closing, some data is provided about the process and judgment of parliamentarians on Supreme Federal Court and exposed possible alternative solutions to the questions arisen.