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Chilean criminal procedure legislative reforms

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2026-09-24 01:31 UTC → 2026-10-02 11:27 UTC · added removed

Chile is advancing multiple legislative reforms to the its criminal procedure system. and justice systems. In late September 2026, the Chamber of Deputies approved a bill to accelerate DNA profiling in criminal investigations. The measure aims to resolve bottlenecks in the comparison of genetic profiles against the National DNA Registry investigations by allowing Carabineros and Investigative Police laboratories to perform certain comparison procedures and send results directly to the Public Ministry or courts. Following this, During the same period, the Chilean Senate approved in principle a different reform known as the “trial in absence” or “no escape law.” This initiative initiative, presented by former Public Security Minister Trinidad Steinert and Minister Fernando Rabat, seeks to allow oral trials and sentencing to proceed even if an accused person fails to appear without justification, preventing legal proceedings from being indefinitely suspended. justification. To protect due process, the bill mandates prior notification, warnings regarding non-attendance, and the presence of legal defense, while providing enhanced tools for issuing arrest warrants. The Senate continues to discuss specific amendments to the project. Additionally, the Chamber of Deputies has approved in general a bill to modify Decree Law No. 321, aimed at tightening requirements for conditional liberty. The measure increases the minimum sentence requirement for parole from two-thirds to three-quarters of the total sentence for specific serious crimes. For offenses committed against members of the Carabineros, PDI, Gendarmería, Firefighters, or the Armed Forces while performing their duties, the requirement rises to four-fifths of the sentence. The bill also introduces stricter requirements for those convicted of terrorism or criminal association and mandates that victims' families be heard during the process. This measure is currently undergoing its first constitutional stage of processing.

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  1. 2026-10-02 11:27 UTC Chilean criminal procedure legislative reforms
  2. 2026-09-24 01:31 UTC Chilean criminal procedure legislative reforms

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