The vice-president of the District Court in Szczecin was suspended after being detained by the police.

The vice president of the Szczecin District Court was detained by police – it turned out she may have been driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. She was suspended.

Police officers detained a judge in Szczecin. "As a result of the examination, it was determined that the judge's conduct may have committed an offense under Article 178a § 1 of the Penal Code," Michał Tomala, spokesman for the Regional Court in Szczecin, said in a press release.

And Article 178a talks about driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or a narcotic substance.

Michał Tomala adds: "Due to the situation, the Vice-President of the District Court in Szczecin, Anna Stasiewicz-Kokotowska, after seeking the opinion of the Court Board, ordered the immediate removal of the judge from performing his duties, as it was necessary due to the type of act that could be committed by the judge, the authority of the court and the important interests of the service."

The suspension period has been set at one month. The case will be reviewed by the disciplinary court. It will "issue a resolution suspending the judge from his duties or revoke the order granting a suspension from his duties."

The spokesman concludes: "At the same time, due to the fact that the detained judge holds the position of Vice-President of the District Court in Szczecin, the decision to suspend her from this position is made by the Minister of Justice."©℗

(as)

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Earlier information:

On July 31, 2025, the vice president of the District Court in Szczecin was detained by police officers in Szczecin. As a result of the investigation, it was determined that the judge's conduct may have committed an aggravated offense under Article 178a § 1 of the Penal Code, Judge Michał Tomala, spokesperson for the District Court in Szczecin, announced on Friday.

The paragraph of the Penal Code he mentioned reads: "Whoever, being in a state of intoxication or under the influence of a narcotic substance, drives a motor vehicle in land, water or air traffic, shall be subject to the penalty of deprivation of liberty for up to 3 years."

"Due to the situation, Anna Stasiewicz-Kokotowska, Vice President of the District Court in Szczecin, after seeking the opinion of the Court Board, ordered, in accordance with Article 130 § 1 of the Act of 27 July 2001 - The Law on the System of Common Courts, the immediate removal of the judge from performing his official duties, as this was necessary due to the type of act that may be committed by the judge, the authority of the court, and the significant interests of the service. The suspension period was set at one month, and the case will be immediately notified to the appropriate disciplinary court, which will issue a resolution on the suspension of the judge from his official duties or will repeal the order on the suspension from performing his duties during the ordered suspension period," wrote the spokesperson for the District Court in Szczecin in a statement sent to our editorial office.

Due to the fact that the detained judge is the vice-president of the District Court in Szczecin, the decision to suspend her from this function can only be made by the Minister of Justice.

(k)