Democracia, segurança pública e o papel do Superior Tribunal de Justiça

Abstract

This article reflects on the role of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) in consolidating democracy and protecting public safety in Brazil. The author highlights the challenge of balancing the standardization of federal criminal law with the regional specificities of security policies. He analyzes the STJ’s performance, especially in cases related to drug seizures, and highlights tensions between combating organized crime and preserving individual rights. He emphasizes that decisions on “founded suspicion” and personal or home searches have a direct impact on local police strategies. While acknowledging progress in protecting constitutional guarantees, the author warns of the risk of weakening the public security apparatus and proposes reflection on the balance between individual liberty, collective security, and the effectiveness of criminal jurisdiction.