Inapplicability of the criminal offense of usury in Ecuador: evidentiary obstacles and proposals for normative effectiveness
Keywords:
Usury, evidence, stipulate, legal reformAbstract
This article explores the difficulties of applying the crime of usury in Ecuador, focusing on the challenges created by the verb “to stipulate” in the legal definition. The wording of the law makes it very hard to prove that a usurious agreement actually took place, which limits the ability of judges and prosecutors to enforce the rule. As a result, many abusive practices remain unpunished, leaving victims unprotected and weakening trust in the criminal justice system. Through legal and case law analysis, the study shows how this ambiguity creates a serious evidentiary barrier and reduces the effectiveness of the law. To address this, the article suggests possible solutions: clarifying the legislative wording, setting objective criteria to identify abusive interest rates, and strengthening the role of documentary and expert evidence. The purpose is to contribute to the legal and academic debate on reforming the offense of usury in Ecuador, aiming for stronger victim protection, legal certainty, and a more effective justice system.
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