司法的目的在於定紛止爭，司法具有保護權利之功能，在權力分立理論下，司法權獨立存在適用法律，即為追求保障人權，不受行政機關之干涉，故司法之本質即在於權利之保護。目前雖一再提倡司法改革，但若人權不能確立，民主則如空中樓閣，無所立基。本文就釋憲機構、審判制度、刑具使用、筆錄之改進、辯護制度之改進、參審之檢討、審檢分際等提出檢討。司法當為民主不可或缺的要素，實現正義之確實奠定民主之發展，因此嚴肅面對司法改革，實在是刻不容緩的重要課題。
The purpose of the judiciary is to trace the facts and settle disputes, and it serves the function of protecting the rights of the individual. Under the principle of separation of powers, the independence and impartiality of the judiciary are necessary for applying the law, pursuing fundamental human rights, and saving the judiciary from interference by the executive authorities. Judicial reform must start with the protection of the fundamental rights of the individual, or else the reform becomes nothing more than hollow words. This article gives reflections on judicial review, the trial system, instruments of restraint, interrogation records, the advocate system, assessors, and the separation of the prosecuting system and trial system. As judicial power is one of the most important elements of democratization, judicial reform must be faced seriously and immediately in order to achieve justice.
