The Criminal Code passed by Decree Law no. 400/82 of 23 September has undergone its 29th amendment, introducing changes involving the description and classification of the new crime of making false statements before public entities. This amendment is found in Law no. 19/2013 of 21 February, and will enter into force on 23 March 2013. This same law also amends Law no. 112/2009 of 16 September, which establishes the legal scheme applicable to the prevention of domestic violence, and protecting and assisting its victims.
The Code of Criminal Procedure passed by Decree Law no. 78/87 of 17 February has also undergone a new amendment, in this case its 20th, which will enter into force on 23 March 2013. The amendments introduced are aimed at streamlining and expediting procedures, particularly involving the use and appraisal of statements made by defendants prior to the judgement phase, notices made in inquiries on unknown persons, the appeals scheme at the Supreme Court of Justice (reserved for more serious cases), and the submission of defendants caught in the act for immediate judgement. [05-03-2013]
