Li Han-Chung's Perspective: Judges Are Human, Not Gods! Who Knows Their Joys and Sorrows?

On August 5, 2026, the Liberty Times reported that the Judicial Yuan is considering a reform that would allow judges to issue simplified judgments for cases with sentences of less than two years in prison. The report stated that the Legislative Yuan's Judicial and Legal Affairs Committee is reviewing an amendment to the _Court Organization Act_. Democratic Progressive Party legislator Lin Shu-fen pointed out that she had received internal information indicating that the Judicial Yuan is considering expanding the scope of simplified trials, allowing judges to issue simplified judgments for cases with sentences of less than two years in prison instead of writing full judgments. She emphasized that judges have the power to make judgments and therefore have the obligation to explain the reasons for their decisions to the public. After reading this news, the author felt a deep sense of grievance. There is an ancient saying, 'Do everything with a good conscience, always act with fairness, and practice what you preach!' This is the best commentary on this news. Based on the author's past experience, he will speak on behalf of the judges' inner thoughts, hoping that knowledgeable individuals will not hesitate to offer their opinions. The core content of this news is: 'Lin Shu-fen criticized that judges, who have the power to make judgments and deprive people of their freedom, have the obligation to explain the reasons for their judgments to the parties involved. She pointed out that if the judgment only states the sentence imposed on the defendant without explaining the reasons, the people will not be able to judge whether they have been wronged, nor will they be able to decide whether to appeal. Gao Jinzhi stated that the Judicial Yuan will indeed propose relevant amendments, but the content is not as Lin Shu-fen said, but has other applicable conditions. Gao Jinzhi responded that it is not that nothing is written, but that it is not written first, and there are other procedures and conditions.' In particular, this part: 'Lin Shu-fen received internal information indicating that the Judicial Yuan took advantage of the opportunity when the Executive Yuan needed to amend the drunk driving law to ask the Executive Yuan to support the Judicial Yuan's proposal to amend the Criminal Procedure Act, including that cases with sentences of less than two years in prison do not need to write judgments. Secretary-General Gao Jinzhi of the Judicial Yuan denied it, emphasizing that the Judicial Yuan 'absolutely did not' say such things, 'this is an insult to us.' This is a case of 'needle against wheat,' which is deeply moving!