INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Brazilian courts distributed at least R$1.5 billion ($263 million) in extra payments to judges and prosecutors last December, reveals data
bonuses from leftover budget funds
Judges in Alagoas state received up to R$438,000 ($76,842) in a single month through this mechanism.These payments dramatically exceed
system creates stark inequality in a country where the minimum wage stands at just R$1,320 per month
An average worker would need to work for decades to earn what some judges pocket in one bonus payment.Nearly 30% of Brazilians live in
poverty while judicial authorities enjoy these extraordinary payments
(Photo Internet reproduction)They label the payments as compensation for unused vacation time, accumulated overtime work, or professional
Judicial Privileges and the Struggle for ReformThese payments divert significant resources from possible improvements to the justice system
The funds could otherwise modernize court infrastructure, invest in technology, reduce case backlogs, or expand access to justice for
underserved populations.Reform attempts have consistently faced fierce resistance from powerful judicial associations
These groups lobby extensively to maintain their financial privileges
reforming a system where organized interest groups secure extraordinary benefits at public expense
Defenders claim high compensation attracts qualified professionals and ensures judicial independence.Critics counter that these privileges
create an untouchable elite within the Brazilian state
This practice continues while most Brazilian citizens face harsh economic realities.The contrast between these judicial windfalls and
