Crisis of legitimacy in Ecuadorian constitutional justice due to the misuse of precautionary measures
Keywords:
Criminal enforcement, due process, legal certainty, constitutional justice, judicial legitimacyAbstract
This paper analyzes the legal and constitutional effects of Judgment No. 12-23-JC/24 of the Constitutional Court of Ecuador, within the context of the misuse of constitutional precautionary measures to interfere with the enforcement of final criminal sentences. Using a qualitative-descriptive approach, supported by jurisprudential, normative, and doctrinal analysis, it examines how these practices have contributed to the distortion of jurisdictional guarantees, affecting the integrity of the justice system and weakening the structural principles of the rule of law. The paper identifies the constitutional limits that must be observed in the application of precautionary measures, especially in contexts where their use conflicts with the finality of judicial decisions in criminal matters. It also includes a comparative analysis with the experiences of Colombia, Peru, and Argentina, whose constitutional courts have adopted restrictive criteria regarding these practices. Finally, regulatory and jurisprudential measures are proposed aimed at restoring the balance between the effective protection of fundamental rights and respect for legality, legal certainty, and res judicata in criminal proceedings.
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