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Disappeared and Abducted Children and Young Adults => Madeleine McCann (3) disappeared from her parent's holiday apartment at Ocean Club, Praia da Luz, Portugal on 3 May 2007. No trace of her has ever been found. => Topic started by: Alfie on September 17, 2016, 11:14:54 AM
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It seems that we are finally getting answers in the Ben Needham case, perhaps because of the Statute of Limitations in Greece meaning that no one can now face charges over his disappearance..Might the same also apply in Portugal and if so how long will the McCanns have to wait...?
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It seems that we are finally getting answers in the Ben Needham case, perhaps because of the Statute of Limitations in Greece meaning that no one can now face charges over his disappearance..Might the same also apply in Portugal and if so how long will the McCanns have to wait...?
In Portugal, I think the statute of limitations is 20 years.
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In Portugal, I think the statute of limitations is 20 years.
Is that 20 years from the occurrence of the harmful event or 20 years from the discovery of the harmful event ?
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It seems that we are finally getting answers in the Ben Needham case, perhaps because of the Statute of Limitations in Greece meaning that no one can now face charges over his disappearance..Might the same also apply in Portugal and if so how long will the McCanns have to wait...?
Sadly,
Fabric found in in Kos search for missing child Ben Needham
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/fabric-found-in-kos-search-for-missing-ben-needham/ar-BBwG5kV?li=BBoPWjQ&ocid=UE13DHP
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It seems that we are finally getting answers in the Ben Needham case, perhaps because of the Statute of Limitations in Greece meaning that no one can now face charges over his disappearance..Might the same also apply in Portugal and if so how long will the McCanns have to wait...?
Whose turn is it to wade through the PT legal codes again?
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Whose turn is it to wade through the PT legal codes again?
Everyone else took a rapid step backward, Carana. 8)-))) Looks like you've been 'volunteered'.
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Everyone else took a rapid step backward, Carana. 8)-))) Looks like you've been 'volunteered'.
Oh, joy. I'll have a look tomorrow.
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Right. Having first waded through the wrong code, I've finally found the relevant bits from the 2007 Penal Code. The only problem is that I find it confusing for the moment.
There appear to be two types of statutes of limitations and I'm not sure what the difference is. 8(8-))
There's "Prescrição do procedimento criminal" (which seems to be the time limit on prosecutions) and "Prazos de prescrição das penas", which seems to be about a time limit on carrying out a sentence.
Therefore I think the prosecution one is the key. But it's complicated.
It's 15 years for crimes incurring a maximum sentence of more than 10 years:
Artigo 118.o
1 - O procedimento criminal extingue-se, por efeito de prescrição, logo que sobre a prática do crime tiverem decorrido os seguintes prazos:
a) 15 anos, quando se tratar de crimes puníveis com pena de prisão cujo limite máximo for superior a 10 anos;
It's less for crimes invoving lesser maximum sentences.
Then there's this from further on which would be relevant concerning (literal translation) crimes of denial of freedom and the sexual self-determination of minors for which the time limit expires once the victim is 23 (not sure if that means when someone has just turned 23 or has completed 23 years of life, i.e. 24).
5 - Nos crimes contra a liberdade e autodeterminação sexual de menores, o procedimento criminal não se extingue, por efeito de prescrição, antes de o ofendido perfazer 23 anos.
Then there's when this time limit actually starts. It's normally from when the crime was committed (but from the end of the practice of a habitual / continuous one, stipulated in the subsequent points).
Artigo 119.o
Início do prazo
1 - O prazo de prescrição do procedimento criminal corre desde o dia em que o facto se tiver consumado.
And there are all sorts of reasons for stopping the clock:
Artigo 120.o
Suspensão da prescrição
Artigo 121.o
Interrupção da prescrição
Which includes this (but I'm not sure what it's supposed to mean):
4 - Quando for relevante a verificação de resultado não compreendido no tipo de crime, o prazo de prescrição só corre a partir do dia em que aquele resultado se verificar.
TÍTULO V
Extinção da responsabilidade criminal
CAPÍTULO I
Prescrição do procedimento criminal
Artigo 118.o
Prazos de prescrição
1 - O procedimento criminal extingue-se, por efeito de prescrição, logo que sobre a prática do crime tiverem decorrido os seguintes prazos:
a) 15 anos, quando se tratar de crimes puníveis com pena de prisão cujo limite máximo for superior a 10 anos;
b) 10 anos, quando se tratar de crimes puníveis com pena de prisão cujo limite máximo for igual ou superior a 5 anos, mas que não exceda 10 anos;
c) 5 anos, quando se tratar de crimes puníveis com pena de prisão cujo limite máximo for igual ou superior a 1 ano, mas inferior a 5 anos;
d) 2 anos, nos casos restantes.
2 - Para efeito do disposto no número anterior, na determinação do máximo da pena aplicável a cada crime são tomados em conta os elementos que pertençam ao tipo de crime, mas não as circunstâncias agravantes ou atenuantes.
3 – Se o procedimento criminal respeitar a pessoa colectiva ou entidade equiparada, os prazos previstos no n.o 1 são determinados tendo em conta a pena de prisão, antes de se proceder à conversão prevista nos n.os 1 e 2 do artigo 90-B.o
4 - Quando a lei estabelecer para qualquer crime, em alternativa, pena de prisão ou de multa, só a primeira é considerada para efeito do disposto neste artigo.
5 - Nos crimes contra a liberdade e autodeterminação sexual de menores, o procedimento criminal não se extingue, por efeito de prescrição, antes de o ofendido perfazer 23 anos.
Artigo 119.o
Início do prazo
1 - O prazo de prescrição do procedimento criminal corre desde o dia em que o facto se tiver consumado.
2 - O prazo de prescrição só corre:
a) Nos crimes permanentes, desde o dia em que cessar a consumação;
b) Nos crimes continuados e nos crimes habituais, desde o dia da prática do último acto;
c) Nos crimes não consumados, desde o dia do último acto de execução.
3 - No caso de cumplicidade atende-se sempre, para efeitos deste artigo, ao facto do
autor.
4 - Quando for relevante a verificação de resultado não compreendido no tipo de crime, o prazo de prescrição só corre a partir do dia em que aquele resultado se verificar.
Artigo 120.o
Suspensão da prescrição
1 - A prescrição do procedimento criminal suspende-se, para além dos casos especialmente previstos na lei, durante o tempo em que:
a) O procedimento criminal não puder legalmente iniciar-se ou continuar por falta de autorização legal ou de sentença a proferir por tribunal não penal, ou por efeito da devolução de uma questão prejudicial a juízo não penal;
b) O procedimento criminal estiver pendente a partir da notificação da acusação ou, não tendo esta sido deduzida, a partir da notificação da decisão instrutória que pronunciar o arguido ou do requerimento para aplicação de sanção em processo sumaríssimo;
c) Vigorar a declaração de contumácia;
d) A sentença não puder ser notificada ao arguido julgado na ausência; ou
e) O delinquente cumprir no estrangeiro pena ou medida de segurança privativas da liberdade.
2 - No caso previsto na alínea b) do número anterior a suspensão não pode ultrapassar 3 anos.
3 - A prescrição volta a correr a partir do dia em que cessar a causa da suspensão.
Artigo 121.o
Interrupção da prescrição
1 - A prescrição do procedimento criminal interrompe-se:
a) Com a constituição de arguido;
b) Com a notificação da acusação ou, não tendo esta sido deduzida, com a notificação da decisão instrutória que pronunciar o arguido ou com a notificação do requerimento para aplicação da sanção em processo sumaríssimo;
c) Com a declaração de contumácia;
d) Com a notificação do despacho que designa dia para audiência na ausência do arguido.
2 - Depois de cada interrupção começa a correr novo prazo de prescrição.
3 - Sem prejuízo do disposto no no 5 do artigo 118o, a prescrição do procedimento criminal tem sempre lugar quando, desde o seu início e ressalvado o tempo de suspensão, tiver decorrido o prazo normal de prescrição acrescido de metade. Quando, por força de disposição especial, o prazo de prescrição for inferior a 2 anos o limite máximo da prescrição corresponde ao dobro desse prazo.
CAPÍTULO II
Prescrição das penas e das medidas de segurança
Artigo 122.o
Prazos de prescrição das penas
1 - As penas prescrevem nos prazos seguintes:
a) 20 anos, se forem superiores a 10 anos de prisão;
b) 15 anos, se forem iguais ou superiores a 5 anos de prisão;
c) 10 anos, se forem iguais ou superiores a 2 anos de prisão;
d) 4 anos, nos casos restantes.
2 - O prazo de prescrição começa a correr no dia em que transitar em julgado a decisão que tiver aplicado a pena.
3 - É correspondentemente aplicável o disposto no n.o 3 do artigo 118.o
Artigo 123.o
Efeitos da prescrição da pena principal
A prescrição da pena principal envolve a prescrição da pena acessória que não tiver sido executada bem como dos efeitos da pena que ainda se não tiverem verificado.
Artigo 124.o
Prazos de prescrição das medidas de segurança
1 - As medidas de segurança prescrevem no prazo de 15 ou de 10 anos, consoante se trate de medidas de segurança privativas ou não privativas da liberdade.
2 - A medida de segurança de cassação da licença de condução prescreve no prazo de 5 anos.
Artigo 125.o
Suspensão da prescrição
1 - A prescrição da pena e da medida de segurança suspende-se, para além dos casos especialmente previstos na lei, durante o tempo em que:
a) Por força da lei, a execução não puder começar ou continuar a ter lugar;
b) Vigorar a declaração de contumácia;
c) O condenado estiver a cumprir outra pena ou medida de segurança privativas da liberdade; ou
d) Perdurar a dilação do pagamento da multa.
2 - A prescrição volta a correr a partir do dia em que cessar a causa da suspensão.
Artigo 126.o
Interrupção da prescrição
1 - A prescrição da pena e da medida de segurança interrompe-se:
a) Com a sua execução; ou
b) Com a declaração de contumácia.
2 - Depois de cada interrupção começa a correr novo prazo de prescrição.
3 - A prescrição da pena e da medida de segurança tem sempre lugar quando, desde o seu início e ressalvado o tempo de suspensão, tiver decorrido o prazo normal da prescrição acrescido de metade.
CAPÍTULO III
Outras causas de extinção
Artigo 127.o
Morte, amnistia, perdão genérico, indulto e extinção
1 - A responsabilidade criminal extingue-se ainda pela morte, pela amnistia, pelo perdão genérico e pelo indulto.
2 – No caso de extinção de pessoa colectiva ou entidade equiparada, o respectivo património responde pelas multas e indemnizações em que aquela for condenada.
Artigo 128.o
Efeitos
1 - A morte do agente extingue tanto o procedimento criminal como a pena ou a medida de segurança.
2 - A amnistia extingue o procedimento criminal e, no caso de ter havido condenação, faz cessar a execução tanto da pena e dos seus efeitos como da medida de segurança.
3 - O perdão genérico extingue a pena, no todo ou em parte.
4 - O indulto extingue a pena, no todo ou em parte, ou substitui-a por outra mais favorável prevista na lei.
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Is that 20 years from the occurrence of the harmful event or 20 years from the discovery of the harmful event ?
Good question.
Presumably it would depend on establishing what exactly happened to her.
It's 15 years, not 20, in the event of 1st degree murder.
In the event that the victim is alive and being held against their will and is subject to sexual abuse / exploitation, the limit is when the victim is 23 (or possibly 24 depending on whether the way it's phrased means having reached the 23rd birthday or in fact the 24th).
And then there are all the clauses concerning stopping the clock. It's not clear whether the previous investigation counts in the countdown and / or whether the archival period suspends it. And I'm not sure what the difference between "suspension" and "interruption" actually boils down to.
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It seems that we are finally getting answers in the Ben Needham case, perhaps because of the Statute of Limitations in Greece meaning that no one can now face charges over his disappearance..Might the same also apply in Portugal and if so how long will the McCanns have to wait...?
No easy answer, Alfie. It depends a) on what happened to her and b) which, if any, statutes concerning the suspension of the criminal process count in this case.
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On the other hand, it might be less if e.g., she'd somehow wandered off by herself and was subject to a hit-run-conceal scenario (depending on whether the person responsible would face consecutive sentences on cumulative charges or only on the one with the longest maximum sentence, i.e. concurrent in effect).
Nor what the case would be if it's a Dutroux-type case in which the children died (heaven forbid).
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I also included this one as a statute worth deciphering. It's the only bit I've found that MIGHT be able to be used to offer to offer a deal in return for information if the person was an accessory or in an unrelated illegal situation at the time.
Artigo 127.o
Morte, amnistia, perdão genérico, indulto e extinção
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I also included this one as a statute worth deciphering. It's the only bit I've found that MIGHT be able to be used to offer to offer a deal in return for information if the person was an accessory or in an unrelated illegal situation at the time.
Artigo 127.o
Morte, amnistia, perdão genérico, indulto e extinção
I think it all stands or falls on the conscience of the person coming forward with information known by him ~ as in Ben Needham's case ~ for apparently twenty five years.
Disturbingly the police are interested in a tree planted shortly after Ben's disappearance in the site they are presently investigating. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ben-needham-police-analyse-photo-8929386#rlabs=1%20rt$sitewide%20p$9
What his mother must be going through is beyond imagination ~ and to think if Ben was killed as described by the man who has now come forward to the police, she and her family could have been spared twenty five years of searching for him and distress if it had been admitted at the time.
Good work on the Portuguese information gathering front, Carana. So far all I have worked out from reading it is that it really is too complex a situation for a definitive answer.
I wish that someone in Portugal would give up any information they may have about what happened to Madeleine. Just as it is locals who on Kos who seem to know what happened to Ben ... I think that locals in Luz may very well hold the key as to what happened to Madeleine.
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It's an interesting question.
I find it entirely possible that someone who could have key information but who hadn't come forward due to e.g. peddling drugs or whatever at the time, could come forward if an amnesty were to be publicly offered.
On the other hand, would anyone do so without an assurance that they wouldn't be prosecuted?
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Portuguese Penal Code - Article 118
Terms of prescription
1. The criminal proceedings extinguishes through the effect of prescription as soon as from the
exertion of the crime has elapsed the following terms:
a) 15 years, concerning crime punishable with prison penalty for a maximum limit superior to 10
years.
b) 10 years, when it concerns crimes punishable with prison penalties with a maximum term equal
or superior to 5 years, but not exceeding 10 years.
c) 5 years, when it concerns crimes punishable with prison penalties with a maximum term equal or
superior to one year, but inferior to 5 years.
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The Ben Needham case has certainly opened dialogue.
I am quite sure the parents of any missing child would want the matter resolved regardless of the outcome. Ben disappeared 25 years ago and it has taken all that time to get to where we are today. No doubt if similar events occur in Portugal we might see some progress in finding out what really happened to Madeleine McCann.
What is staggering though is the inability to offer some form of protection to anyone who wishes to come forward with information. That in itself is an utter disgrace!
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The Ben Needham case has certainly opened dialogue.
I am quite sure the parents of any missing child would want the matter resolved regardless of the outcome. Ben disappeared 25 years ago and it has taken all that time to get to where we are today. No doubt if similar events occur in Portugal we might see some progress in finding out what really happened to Madeleine McCann.
What is staggering though is the inability to offer some form of protection to anyone who wishes to come forward with information. That in itself is an utter disgrace!
I'm bemused by your indignancy tbh. Dont the police always say any information received will be treated in strictest confidence? What sort of additional protection do you think should be offered? Surely if someone has been deliberately witholding information then that should be treated as a criminal matter?
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The Ben Needham case has certainly opened dialogue.
I am quite sure the parents of any missing child would want the matter resolved regardless of the outcome. Ben disappeared 25 years ago and it has taken all that time to get to where we are today. No doubt if similar events occur in Portugal we might see some progress in finding out what really happened to Madeleine McCann.
What is staggering though is the inability to offer some form of protection to anyone who wishes to come forward with information. That in itself is an utter disgrace!
Protection / amnesty was what I was looking for in the PT code, John.
In theory, I can see a possibility for some who is simply a witness who didn't come forward, or possibly with an unrelated minor potential criminal hiccup.
However... how many of these people are likely to come forward if they have no idea that they could potentially benefit from protection?
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I'm bemused by your indignancy tbh. Dont the police always say any information received will be treated in strictest confidence? What sort of additional protection do you think should be offered? Surely if someone has been deliberately witholding information then that should be treated as a criminal matter?
Depends on the information withheld and that applies to all involved.
As to your question of additional protection, that could only work in certain circumstances. I can't see a cold blooded killer being offered any deal but others around him could be. Also in a case of accidental death, some form of amnesty could be provided. The important goal in all of this though is to bring closure for Madeleine's parents.
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Protection / amnesty was what I was looking for in the PT code, John.
In theory, I can see a possibility for some who is simply a witness who didn't come forward, or possibly with an unrelated minor potential criminal hiccup.
However... how many of these people are likely to come forward if they have no idea that they could potentially benefit from protection?
That is why the Portuguese authorities should have gone out of their way to make it clear to anyone with crucial information that they will have some form of protection. The way they have gone about it so far would scare anyone with information off for sure.
Looking back at what went on at the time of the disappearance with Jenny Murat however I don't hold out much hope on anything changing anytime soon on that front. Joaquin Bloggs is scared and suspicious of the Portuguese police with good reason and that isn't going to change anytime soon.
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Depends on the information withheld and that applies to all involved.
As to your question of additional protection, that could only work in certain circumstances. I can't see a cold blooded killer being offered any deal but others around him could be. Also in a case of accidental death, some form of amnesty could be provided. The important goal in all of this though is to bring closure for Madeleine's parents.
Of course we don't know exactly what information individuals may have passed on to the police. Someone may already have named the culprit or culprits but the police have been unable to find sufficient evidence to support the accusation, we just don't know.