JUDICIAL CRIMES IN THE YEARS 1944-1989

This publication aims to present the specifics of the legal system in People's Poland and other countries of the Eastern Bloc. It focuses on the involvement of state security organs in strengthening the communist system, eliminating the armed underground and political opposition. It also presents individual attitudes of judges, prosecutors, lawyers, and representatives of the repression apparatus and the ruling party.

• In-depth analysis of the legal system of People's Poland
• Study of the attitudes of judges and prosecutors
• Description of repression against the political opposition
• Examples of the actions of the communist apparatus
• Characteristics of scientific achievements in this field
• New sources on the institutions of justice
• Author's studies grouped in thematic blocks

The main subject of the research was the analysis and expansion of knowledge about the judicial bodies of People's Poland, the applicable legal system, and the role in the policy of strengthening the communist system. The authors tried to characterize the scientific achievements and reach new sources on the institutions of justice. The result of the research work are author's studies grouped in two thematic blocks. The first one analyzed the legal aspects of the functioning of the judiciary in the years 1944-1989. Portraits, attitudes, and activities of selected representatives of the judiciary of People's Poland were presented. The conduct of judges, prosecutors, and lawyers who carried out the orders of the communist authorities, even if they were contrary to the law, was shown. Those who tried to act in accordance with the regulations and professional ethics, exposing themselves to repression, were also described.

The second part of the publication contains studies on the actions of the communist repression apparatus against citizens of People's Poland. The collected materials refer to the chicanery against activists of the armed underground for independence and the political opposition after World War II. The conduct of officials involved in the prosecution of opponents of the system was presented. Studies on methods of creating communist propaganda and creating an ideological image of the so-called people's democracy, consistent with political needs, were published.

The publication is a valuable source of knowledge for historians, lawyers, students, and all those interested in the subject of the legal system in People's Poland and the countries of the Eastern Bloc. It allows you to understand the specifics of those times and the role of the judiciary in strengthening communist power. Thanks to the rich source material and the author's analyzes, this book is an important contribution to research on the history of Poland.

Technical data:

Publisher: IPN

Year of publication: 2022

Binding: Hardcover

Number of pages: 383

Format: 248x175 mm