Maranhão Court President and Judge Clash Over Speaking Rights

During a session of the Special Division of the Tribunal de Justiça do Maranhão on 29 March, the court’s president, Justice Ricardo Dualibe, and Justice José Jorge Figueiredo engaged in a heated exchange over the right to request additional remarks after a vote had been cast. Figueiredo asked to speak again to supplement his position, which Dualibe initially declined, citing that the judge had already voted. Figueiredo complained, saying “I see people speaking for half an hour, an hour… why are some treated differently here?” Dualibe responded that all magistrates are treated equally, stating “I have always treated everyone the same… there is no Justice A or Justice B.” After other judges intervened, Dualibe reversed his decision and granted Figueiredo the floor, interrupting the next scheduled speaker, Justice Tyrone José Silva.