City Councilor Condemned to Pay R$ 10,000 in Moral Damages and Make Public Apology
A city councilor from Jundiaí, São Paulo, has been convicted by the Justice to pay R$ 10,000 in moral damages and make a public apology for insults made to a psychologist during a session of the Municipal Chamber transmitted on YouTube.
The councilor, Romildo Antônio da Silva of PDT, called the psychologist Silas Ramos da Silva “bad-character” and “picky” in addition to implying that he exposed patients’ personal lives.
The decision was taken by the 5th Civil Litigation Court of Jundiaí, which understood that the councilor exceeded the limits of political criticism and made personal attacks unrelated to his mandate.
The action was initiated by the psychologist Silas Ramos da Silva against the councilor Romildo Antônio da Silva after a session held on November 26, 2024
The judge who analyzed the case considered that the accusations made against the psychologist were especially serious for affecting the professional ethics of the category.
The councilor recurred arguing for parliamentary immunity and claiming that the speeches were within the context of political dispute, but the São Paulo Judicial Court rejected the arguments and maintained the conviction.
The decision requires the councilor to make a public apology and withdraw the insults within the time established by the Justice.
The conviction was celebrated by the psychologist Silas Ramos da Silva, who declared that the sentiment is one of justice being done.
He added that the Municipal Chamber’s rostrum should not be used for offensive statements and that the councilor used the rostrum dishonestly and dishonorably.
The case raises questions about the use of parliamentary immunity and the limits of political criticism.
The public apology is a measure that aims to repair the damage caused to victims of insults.
The decision of the Justice in Jundiaí serves as an example for other councilors and politicians who use the rostrum to make offensive statements.
The case also highlights the importance of responsibility and respect for professional ethics.
In addition, the conviction shows that the Justice is aware of the actions of politicians and that it is possible to seek redress for moral and material damages caused by offensive speeches.
