COMPATIBILITY OF THE CRIMINAL COURTS OF ADMINISTRATIVE GOVERNORS IN JORDAN WITH THE STANDARDS OF THE NATURAL JUDGE

Abstract

The investigators studied the crucial issue which focuses on the Jordanian criminal courts of administrative governors matching natural judge standards. The research investigation organized its sections into three different parts. The research began by examining the principle of separation of powers followed by the natural judge principle and ended with a clarification on criminal authority of administrative governors in Jordan. Research findings demonstrate that Jordanian legislators have conferred significant criminal powers upon administrative governors which enable such officials to fulfill criminal judicial duties. The courts demonstrate their infringement of three core legal principles through several violations including violations against both separation of powers and fairness in trials and violations against the rule of law when giving judicial powers to administrative employees. The established principles of natural justice together with fair trial standards become violated while the defense rights suffer impairment because of this action.   According to the study findings the researchers emphasize that the abolition of administrative governor courts should occur while natural judges should regain their judicial tasks.