IMPLEMENTATION OF EXCEPTIONS TO THE UNUS TESTIS NULLUS TESTIS PRINCIPLE IN THE SYSTEM OF PROOF FOR DRUG-RELATED CRIMES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18623/rvd.v23.6424Keywords:
Evidence, Unus Testis Nullus Testis, Narcotics Crime, Criminal Procedure, Legal CertaintyAbstract
The principle of unus testis nullus testis, which requires more than a single witness to establish proof, constitutes a fundamental safeguard within criminal procedural law to ensure fairness and prevent wrongful convictions. However, in the context of narcotics crimes, the application of this principle often encounters significant challenges due to the covert, organized, and non-transparent nature of such offenses. This study aims to analyze the application of exceptions to the unus testis nullus testis principle within the evidentiary system of narcotics crimes and to examine its implications for legal certainty and justice. This research employs a normative juridical method with a statutory and conceptual approach. The findings indicate that, although the principle remains formally recognized, its strict application is frequently relaxed in narcotics cases through the use of supporting evidence such as expert testimony, documentary evidence, and circumstantial indications. These evidentiary elements are often combined with the testimony of a single witness to meet the minimum threshold of proof as required by law. The study further reveals that the expansion of evidentiary interpretation in narcotics cases reflects a pragmatic approach aimed at effective law enforcement. Nevertheless, such flexibility also raises concerns regarding potential deviations from due process and the erosion of fundamental principles of criminal justice. Therefore, it is necessary to establish clearer normative guidelines to regulate the application of such exceptions, ensuring a balance between the effectiveness of narcotics law enforcement and the protection of defendants’ rights.
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