Costa Rica’s Government

  

Costa Rica received its independence from Spain on September 15, 1821. And, Costa Rica is a democratic republican state. Costa Rica’s Constitution was adopted in 1949.

Costa Rican government is set up by a President being Costa Rica’s Chief Executive and Head of State. The President is elected by the people to a single four year term. Costa Rica’s Council of Government is made up of the President, two Vice Presidents, and Cabinet members.

Costa Rica’s government is also made up of a Legislative Assembly. Costa Rica’s legislature has 57 deputies that are elected by the people every four years. (Deputies cannot be elected to two terms in a row.) Costa Rica’s highest court is The Supreme Court of Justice and has 17 justices that are appointed by the Legislature.

Although Costa Rica’s army was brought to an end in 1948, military forces can be organized for national defense.

Costa Rica’s government includes the seven provinces that are in Costa Rica: Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, Guanacaste, and San Jose. These Costa Rican provinces are ruled by a governor who is appointed by the President. Then, the Costa Rican provinces are divided into 80 counties. And, a council elected by Costa Ricans governs each county. Counties provide Costa Ricans with Fire Protection, Sanitation, Water, and other important local services.

Costa Rican citizens who are 18 or older are required to vote in National Elections. The two major political parties that make up the Costa Rican government are the National Liberation Party and the Social Christian Unity Party.

The Costa Rican system of justices determines cases by a single judge or by a panel of judges. In Costa Rica, the jury system is not used, but Costa Rican courts are customarily noted for its fairness. In Costa Rica, capital punishment is banned, and if a person is sentenced to the penitentiary, it must be for a stated number of years.

Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly assigns the Supreme Court judges with a minimum term of eight years. Costa Rican judges are automatically reappointed unless voted out by the Legislative Assembly. There are currently 24 judges serving in the Costa Rican Supreme Court. And these judges will then select other judges for Costa Rica’s civil and penal courts.