A law that increases the penalties for those who assault police, prison guards, and firefighters, as well as extending exemption from the payment of court costs to teachers and doctors who have been assaulted, came into force today.
According to the diploma, published in the Official Gazette on the 19th of March, the crime of physical violence against security force agents and prison guards is now punishable by one and four years in prison. Up until now, sentences have not gone beyond three years.
If the aggression against these professionals is considered as Grevious Bodily Harm (GBH) the maximum penalty increases to four to five years in prison.
The law, which until now protected elements of the Armed Forces, military, or security, also covers prison guards, firefighters, and other Civil Protection agents.
Firefighters and other Civil Protection agents, public transport inspectors, and anyone working in areas of health and education are also part of the list of professionals against whom aggression is a crime.
Teachers, doctors, prison guards, employees of the Tax and Customs Authority and the Tax and Customs Authority of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, and public transport inspectors are also exempt from legal costs if they are assaulted while carrying out their duties. This exemption also applies to police officers and security force personnel.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
