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

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigates the motivations behind the rulings issued by trial court judges in Ecuador, aiming to assess their compliance with the principles established in the Constitution and the guarantees of due process. A legal-doctrinal and normative analysis is conducted, complemented by a review of selected judgments, to identify the argumentative criteria used by legal professionals. The findings show that, although there is formal recognition of the obligation to justify judicial decisions, in practice, deficiencies are observed in the logical, legal, and evidentiary support of these decisions. The study concludes that improving the quality of judicial reasoning helps ensure transparency, legal certainty, and public trust in the justice system. This analysis offers proposals for strengthening argumentation and judicial education in the country.