Brasília, November 11, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The reduction in the age limit for criminal liability to 16 is called for by 89% of the interviewees in a public opinion poll sponsored by the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB) and released Monday (10). Over half (52%) of the people interviewed said they are in favor of the death penalty for heinous crimes.

The survey also indicates that for 74% of the 1,700 people in the sample, prison only exists for the poor, blacks, and prostitutes. The professions that Brazilians most admire, according to the study, are those of physician, teacher, and lawyer. And it reveals that the office of judge is the one most highly esteemed to assure justice in Brazil.

For 60% of the people interviewed by the OAB, public attorneys and prosecutors have used their enhanced role in the Brazilian judicial system to exceed their functions and abuse their exposure in the media. And according to 92% of the interviewees, the credibility of the judicial system has been affected by scandals such as the one involving Judge Nicolau dos Santos, from the São Paulo Regional Labor Court; the Banestado case; accusations of selling sentences; and sexual harassment practiced by judges. (DAS)