Ministério Pùblico, Justiça Penal e a Democracia Italiana

Traditionally, in Italy the role of public prosecution was defined in a way similar to other European continental countries: as a magistrate carrying out its function in an impartial way, although under the supervision of the Ministry of justice. In the last 40 years the situation has changed. The independence of public prosecutors has been strengthened, by severing all the connections with the Ministry and by extending to prosecutors all the guarantees of independence enjoyed by judges. In the meanwhile, public prosecutors have began to lead complex investigations against terrorism, organized crime and political corruption, developing also stronger links with the police.