Ethical principles governing the relationship between judges and judicial staff in relation to defendants and criminals during the investigation and execution stages, in line with the Second Step of the Revolution Declaration

Bahrami, Mohammad Kazem

doi:10.22106/pr.2026.2084769.1078

Ethical principles governing the relationship between judges and judicial staff in relation to defendants and criminals during the investigation and execution stages, in line with the Second Step of the Revolution Declaration

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article

Author

Mohammad Kazem Bahrami

Retired Judge; Former President of the Administrative Justice Court

10.22106/pr.2026.2084769.1078

Abstract

The present study, inspired by the Second Phase Statement of the Islamic Revolution, examines the ethical principles governing the interaction of judges and judicial staff with defendants and offenders during the stages of adjudication and the enforcement of judgments. Emphasizing the centrality of “spirituality and ethics” in Second Phase of the Revolution, the author argues which realization of judicial justice requires judicial officials to internalize spiritual values and moral virtues derived from Islamic sources. The article is organized into two main sections:
Section One: Spiritual ValuesThis section, as the foundation of judicial ethics, identifies six key spiritual values and explains how these internal beliefs provide the psychological and motivational bases necessary for just and sincere conduct in the critical position of the judiciary.
Section Two: Moral Virtues. This section elaborates on seven essential and practical moral virtues required of judges and judicial personnel, drawing upon the Qur’an, the Prophetic tradition (Sunnah), and the teachings and conduct of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). It also clarifies their practical application within the judicial process, such as interaction with litigants, discovery of truth, management of court sessions, and issuance of judgments.
The overall conclusion of the article is that fair adjudication and public trust in the judiciary go beyond mere compliance with statutory law and require self-discipline and adherence to Islamic ethical values. Inspired by the Second Phase Statement of the Islamic Revolution, the judiciary is obligated to create conditions for cultivating these values and virtues among its officials so that, in the light of “spirituality and ethics,” judicial justice—as one of the fundamental pillars of the modern Islamic civilizational project—may be effectively realized.

Keywords

Judicial Ethics

Spirituality

Judges

Defendants / Accused Persons

Defendants and Offenders

The Second Phase Statement of the Islamic Revolution

Justice

Subjects