The legality principle within the italian criminal justice system: normative principles and practical adaptations

With my paper I will make a contribution to the discussion about the relevant issues of compulsory prosecution and functional alternatives to the legality principle in the Italian criminal justice system. The aim is to analyse prosecutorial and judicial practice rather than the "black letter" legal rules. In so doing I will present empirical data. The analysis intends to cast light upon prosecution, specialisation in prosecutorial offices and courts, the use of the so-called riti alternativi (short proceedings) and the impact limitation of actions (i.e. prescrizione). All these aspects are important to a better understanding of the relationship between law and practice in enforcing law.