Anonymous Judges Take the Bench in Brazil

In the 1990s, some judges in Colombia went faceless. Trials of dangerous criminals, including druglords from the Medellín and Cali cartels, were conducted behind closed doors with judges whose faces were concealed from the defendants. Their identities were hidden to protect them from retaliation and bribery.

Fast forward to 2025, and Brazil is adopting a similar approach. The state of Santa Catarina has announced the creation of a special court with anonymous judges to hear cases involving organized crime. The goal: to protect judicial officers while ensuring justice is delivered in high-risk proceedings.

The new court will include five judges and 35 court staff. More than 2,000 cases are currently on the docket. All hearings will be held online; faces and voices of court personnel will be distorted; and rulings will be signed collectively by the court rather than by any individual judge.

The Brazilian judiciary is no stranger to threats. Organized crime groups tied to drug and arms trafficking have increasingly targeted judges and prosecutors. This new court structure is seen as a necessary response to a dangerous reality.

Still, not everyone is convinced. Critics argue that hiding judges’ identities could erode public trust in the system and open the door to abuse. There are also legitimate concerns about transparency and due process as anonymous judging makes it harder for defendants to challenge bias or misconduct.

Faceless justice may offer protection, but it comes at a cost. Whether Brazil can strike the right balance between safety and fairness remains to be seen.