Mediation procedure on criminal case : a comparative study on mediation procedure in Laos at village level and compromis procedure in Thailand at village level
Abstract:
Mediation procedure in criminal cases, particularly at village level, is one of significant parts for criminal justice, to lessen and rehabilitate damages of the criminal offenses. It also helps reduce times and money to spend during criminal proceedings, as well as minimize the conflicts in the community, save government budgets, and reduce cases brought to the courts. Criminal offenders, through mediation procedures, would also have a better chance to correct their behavior. Having the public takes part in providing justice may also help build peace in the society, prevent criminal offenders to re-commit crimes, protect criminal offenders in misdemeanors from having bad records. More importantly, there will not be a formal confrontation, no fight, no winning, no losing, but peaceful agreement. This thesis found that mediation procedure in Laos could be better improved by adopting strengths of mediation procedures in criminal cases in Thailand and other countries to amend laws of Laos, which will ultimately help the mediation procedure at village level in Laos.