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The Judicial Dilemma:
If only it was as easy for the poor and the underprivileged to have easy and swift access to justice as it is for the rich. It is not a phenomenon that is regionally bound or specific to a few countries. One way or another, the rich have shortcuts and loopholes in the judicial or legal system that they can exploit. Poor or underprivileged on the other hand, can end up in jail for a long, long time only for committing petty crimes that they are driven to commit out of sheer compulsion. After all, if one steals bread, it is because they are constrained by hunger. But is there a rule for that? Can a poor person who if even has not even committed a crime, represent him or herself in court if they are unable to afford a lawyer?
These were the questions that kept Joilson Melo up at night. The crumbling judicial system of Brazil is a serious issue that needs immediate repairs. It requires not only major changes but needs to facilitates the underprivileged class of the country, given that the class gap between the lower and upper class is significantly wide in Brazil. Though Joilson couldn’t do anything to bridge that, he could, however, fight to ensure justice is equally, and justly available to each and every citizen no matter their social status.
A Hero Rises:
Born on 20 September 1988 in Cuiaba, Brazil; Joilson Junior De Melo who is now publically, both nationally and internationally known as Joilson Milo is a 32-years old law student who has already dissected the Judicial system of Brazil. He’s studying at Fasip College that situated in Sinop in the state of Mato Grosso.
As a prominent and rising figure in Brazil as a future lawyer, he has showcased a brave and uptight approach towards justice. It was quite some time ago he identified a lot of loopholes, mistakes, and even corruption in the country’s official institutions and raised his voice against the injustice by participating in a lot of moments that called out the malpractices that have been taking roots in the country’s institutions; particularly CNJ (National Council of Justice).
As such, Joilson filed an application in the CNJ with Minister Humberto Eustaquio Soares Martin as a rapporteur. The request for action stated and informed the Plenary Body of Internal Affairs about the adoption of measures to enable an electronic petition system by the unassisted party off-lawyers in the state and federal special courts.
He made demands to allow acceptation of petitions without a lawyer in the Special Courts. His appeal has been considered possible and has even passed. Joilson’s sought to ensure:
“to the party not assisted by a lawyer in Special Courts the right to petition electronically as well as if it is guaranteed to those who are not lawyers the possibility of filing habeas corpus by the PJe system, in their favor or that of others, provided they are equipped with a digital certificate”
According to the technical opinion issued by the assistant judge of the Presidency of the CNJ – Manager of the PJe:
“The information presented by the Court of Justice of Mato Grosso is correct, in the sense that it is possible to petition the citizen who has a digital certificate. The only need is the qualification that the court must perform in the system, for this purpose, according to the procedural class corresponding”
This is nothing short of a major accomplishment for a student who is still some distance away from his graduation yet has shaken the Brazilian judicial system to its core. According to Joilson, this was possible due to this immense knowledge of the law and how the judicial system functions, what are its shortcomings, and how it is being exploited in the first place.
Joilson aspires to become a notable lawyer one day, hoping to fix the Brazilian judiciary and bring about changes that will ensure catalytically triggered correction in all the national institutions. He is wise beyond his years, realizing that law is an ever-evolving and ever-changing line of work that requires you to keep yourself constantly updated. Ultimately, his aspirations target his countrymen where he wishes to provide them better and equal opportunities for growth, jobs, and development.
In his own words, he aspires to become a lawyer who can one day, open a law firm that provides justice to the people of Brazil and works its best to fix the judicial system of his country.
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This content is brought to you by Shahbaz Ahmed.
Photo provided by the author with permission by Joilson Melo.