Lei Maria da Penha em Juiz de Fora: uma análise das audiências e da aplicação de medidas protetivas

Abstract

The present study aims to analyze the operation of Law 11.340/06, known as "Maria da Penha Law", in the city of Juiz de Fora - MG, trying to understand how the court manages conflicts of gender violence under this Act. The focus is on understanding the dynamics of the audience prior to the examination of applications for protective measures, called "conciliations hearings" by professionals working in the 1st Criminal Division of Common Court of Juiz de Fora - MG, as well as understand what this audience produces as "justice" in a broad sense. The fieldwork, conducted from September 2011 to August 2012, indicates that among the four criminal courts that exist in the city, only the 1st and 2nd conduct such hearings and that the notion of "conciliation" predominant among Law operators on this court is different from that used in legal practice, since it does not have the power to solve the case. Thus, the purpose of the hearing seems to be the explanation to the parties about the application of protective measures under the Law, as well as indicate the consequences of noncompliance. For a better understanding of the issue, an analysis was made about the protective measures contained in the "Maria da Penha Law", specifying its main aspects and peculiarities, besides the practical obstacles to its realization.