Motivación en las sentencias emitidas por los jueces de primer nivel en Ecuador

Abstract

Abstract: This paper analyzes the motivation in judgments issued by first-level judges in Ecuador as an essential guarantee of due process, effective judicial protection, and the right to defense. The objective was to evaluate whether the rulings meet the standards of sufficient and correct motivation established by the Constitution and jurisprudence. Using a mixed analytical approach, a criminal judgment for a minor offense was examined, applying the EL-SER method, the sufficiency standard, and the correct motivation questionnaire to assess the relationship between proven facts, evaluation of evidence, normative grounds, and the judicial decision. The results show adequate normative grounding, evidentiary analysis in accordance with sound judgment, and sufficient internal consistency to understand the decision and exercise appeal mechanisms. However, weaknesses were identified related to the use of excessively technical language and a limited pedagogical exposition of the judicial reasoning, which may restrict the full understanding by litigants. It is concluded that judicial motivation constitutes a pillar of institutional legitimacy for the Ecuadorian justice system and that its strengthening requires training.