What are criminal court costs and who has to pay them?

In the Dominican Republic, judicial proceedings can result in a court order requiring a convicted individual to pay criminal costs, known as costas penales. This measure mandates that the defendant cover specific expenses incurred during the legal process beyond the primary sentencing for the committed act.

Legal analysis is currently being directed toward clarifying the definition of these costs, the specific types of expenses included, and the practical enforcement of these financial penalties. The inquiry seeks to determine how these mandates are applied and whether they are effectively executed within the judicial system.