ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the evolution of Taiwan’s criminal justice system in responding to crime and disorder problems. The criminal justice system in Taiwan has its root in the continental European system. The criminal justice institutions can be classified into four groups: police, prosecution, courts, and correction. These four types of institutions are under the control of three authorities: the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice, and Judicial Yuan. In Taiwan, prosecutors act as major crime investigators who serve multiple criminal justice functions, such as making prosecution decisions, presenting cases in court, using prosecutor probation, and enforcing sentencing. Criminal cases are heard and decided in courts by judges. Taiwan uses a bench rather than jury trial system. Judges are legal professionals who passed competitive bar examinations, completed practical training, and are appointed for life to protect their independence of decisions.
