Challenge of the Presence of Civil Societies in Criminal Proceedings of Iran

The presence of civil societies in criminal proceedings is taken into consideration in the contemporary legal systems. Civil societies and people participation have been accepted in the criminal law of Iran. In this regard, the rules have been established for the participation of non-governmental organizations (NGO), mediator and juries in criminal proceeding, but it's not effective in practice. This article with descriptive-analytical methodology deals with executive and legislative problems in this field and follows that increasing involvement of the government in the political, economic, social and cultural structure of society and political and economic affiliation of non-governmental organization that prevents people from trusting them. On the other hand, the legal restriction in the establishment of NGO, the formalization of the jury and the borrowed power of judges in choosing the mediator make their effective participation difficult.