The judiciary will receive 122 new posts and 220 million euros more with the 2023 budget. This is a “significant increase”, says Justice Minister Alma Zadic (Greens) about a gratifying result. There are new posts for judges, prosecutors and also IT experts, especially in the fight against cybercrime, corruption and white-collar crime.
With this budget, the judiciary can prepare for future challenges, Zadic emphasized in a written statement to the APA. With the budget plus “we ensure even more security, stability and flexibility of the judiciary”. Despite the increased costs in many areas, more staff will become available in the future for core areas of the judiciary.
Expansion of cybercrime knowledge centers
Specifically, there will be 24 new positions for prosecutors – with a focus on cybercrime, where ten IT expert positions will also be available to support them. The minister’s aim is the national expansion of cybercrime competence centers among public prosecutors. In addition to prosecuting online crimes such as internet fraud, they should focus primarily on combating hate on the internet. Two pilot projects are currently underway in the Vienna and Graz region.
As expected, the Prosecutor’s Association, which had asked for more resources, was delighted: “An important step has been taken in creating additional financial and human resources for the fight against cybercrime,” said Cornelia Koller, Chair of the Professional Representation , on a broadcast. “With additional human, technical and financial resources, the investigative work to combat cybercrime can be sustainably strengthened,” explains Koller. The goal should be to increase the clearing rate in this crime area.
First increase in the number of posts for judges since 2014
In white-collar crime, Zadic uses the extra resources to speed up procedures. There will be new posts for about 25 judges; the first increase in this area since 2014. In addition, for the first time, lawyers (20 permanent positions) will be hired to support them. However, a certain transitional period is needed before this measure comes into force, the necessary structures still need to be created and the permanent positions filled.
In view of the necessary turnaround time, the minister also uses part of the increase for permanent posts for candidate judges (15) and for the training of magistrates and public prosecutors (10). This should make it possible to quickly fill future pension-related gaps in the coming years. The minister is devoting ten extra permanent posts to relieving the judiciary of administrative tasks.
Source: Krone
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