According to a staff member at the Colegio de Abogados de Venezuela (Lawyers College or Guild of Venezuela), tribunals issue letters or constancias stating whether an individual was found innocent of a charge processed by the tribunal (25 Nov. 1994). The source stated that the justice administration system consists of tribunales (tribunals) rather than cortes (courts), except for the Corte Suprema (Supreme Court), which does not normally issue constancias to individuals (ibid.). The tribunal authority signing the constancias may vary depending on the tribunal and the availability of staff (ibid.).

For a brief overview of the administration of justice system, please consult the attached document.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Colegio de Abogados de Venezuela, Caracas. 25 November 1994. Telephone interview with information staff member.

Americas Watch [Washington, DC]. October 1993. Human Rights in Venezuela. New York: Human Rights Watch, pp. 11-16.