JUSTIÇA SOB PRESSÃO: clamor social e o poder de punir do Estado no caso Lázaro Barbosa

Abstract

The present work aims to discuss the influence of public opinion and the media on the exercise of the State's punitive power, exemplified by the case of Lázaro Barbosa, highlighting the interferences between the cry for immediate justice and the principles of the Rule of Law. In 2021, Lázaro Barbosa became notorious for leading an escape that intensely mobilized security forces and generated extensive media coverage, revealing how public pressure can shape a state response, leading to actions that defy legal and ethical norms. The media narrative during the hunt for Lázaro intensified the perception of urgency, directing the State to act quickly and severely, compromising fundamental guarantees, such as due legal process and the presumption of innocence. The sensationalist coverage and social outcry developed into an environment where the state response was largely influenced by public opinion, challenging the balance between legal and popular justice. This context highlights the impact of social outcry on state action, raising concerns about the risk of evidence of fundamental rights when the State was supposed to meet the demand for immediate protection. The case of Lázaro Barbosa illustrates the dilemmas of the Brazilian criminal system in the face of the growing influence of public opinion, highlighting the importance of preservation as fundamental guarantees and the constitutional principles of the Rule of Law, even under intense social pressure.