Maranhão Court Suspends Judge Douglas Martins from Cases Involving Prosecutor Lítia Cavalcanti

On Monday, the public law section of the Tribunal de Justiça do Maranhão (TJMA) voted by majority to declare Judge Douglas de Melo Martins suspect in any proceeding where Prosecutor Lítia Teresa Costa Cavalcanti acts as a party or legal representative. The ruling removes Martins from Civil Public Action No. 0824383‑45.2026.8.10.0001 and extends the suspension to all current and future cases involving Cavalcanti in the Vara de Interesses Difusos e Coletivos of São Luís. The court ordered the Corregedoria‑Geral da Justiça to adopt measures to enforce the decision.

The judgment cites a documented history of hostility between the judge and the prosecutor, previously recognized by the court in 2021, and lists allegations of deliberate omission of urgent requests, disrespectful conduct in hearings, systematic disregard of adjustment terms, and a pattern of unfavorable decisions against the prosecutor. The panel also invoked CNJ Resolution 492/2023, which establishes a gender‑perspective protocol, emphasizing that hostile or misogynistic behavior compromises judicial impartiality.