Sluggish prosecutors are the criminal's best friend

By: Garland M. Baker B.

Exclusive to A.M. Costa Rica

Editor's Note: While this article was accurate at the time of publication, some information may now be outdated. We are currently preparing a comprehensive update. Sign up for our Alerts to be notified as soon as the revised content is live!

Costa Rica is experiencing a meltdown in its court system.  This is especially true in the criminal courts. Many cases are lapsing and are in mora judicial, judicial neglect.

Calling or writing officials regarding a case is a joke. 

An answer to a written pronto despacho, an immediate attention request, last week was horrifying.  The prosecutor in charge of an obvious stolen property case stated she is overwhelmed and asked that victims respect her predicament.

Threatening to file an amparo or request for help from the Sala IV met with the statement “Go ahead, I will put it on the stack of them I already have.”

This secret tip will help keep new neighbors in line

By: Garland M. Baker B.

Exclusive to A.M. Costa Rica

Editor's Note: While this article was accurate at the time of publication, some information may now be outdated. We are currently preparing a comprehensive update. Sign up for our Alerts to be notified as soon as the revised content is live!

People move to Costa Rica for a variety of reasons.  Some come to join communities, others to build them.

Some expats are leaving the United States or planning to leave because laws, politics and Big Brother have them crazy.  Others leave because they are wanted by the law or unwanted by society. 

Whatever the reasons, Costa Rica is filling up with foreigners.  Some of these outlanders are making small communities or sustainable developments — little utopias.

However, these groups have a problem.  How do they restrict their utopia to similar type people?   Most lawyers and other professionals state the only way to do it is through the condominium law.  

Anyone who has ever owned a condo or belonged to a homeowners' association is familiar with covenants, conditions, and restrictions.