The main flaw in the system, Mr. Mantovano suggested, is that magistrates use the informers as a crutch to avoid more labor-intensive and costly investigations, but "one cannot do without them," he said.
To prevent this, magistrates used a principle of alteration, assigned responsibilities by lot or seniority, or gave certain magistrates control over certain functions.
On several known occasions, presiding magistrates used the claim of unfavorable omens as an excuse to suspend a session that was not going the way they wanted.
At the first hearing before a federal magistrate, Dr. Sell screamed at the magistrate, using racial epithets.
To make the difference between the real and the pretending sick cases, the magistrate uses the supposed experts' knowledge.
Under the new system the magistrate used his administrative powers, which were always considerable, for the purpose of settling disputes.
When the magistrate used the phase "premeditated murder" the athlete slumped forward as if trying to bend over double, his head bowed, sobbing and shaking uncontrollably.
In June 1984, Brons was convicted by Leeds magistrates of using insulting words and behaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace.
Last week, The Independent revealed that magistrates are using a little known legal convention called "absolute discharge" where a guilty verdict is technically recorded but the court hands out no punishment.
Last month, the League's leader, Matteo Salvini, who is not under investigation, said he "hasn't ever seen that money", and he continued to accuse magistrates of using their power for political ends.
