Emotional care as ethical duty of the justice system

Abstract

When discussing public service, we often imagine a part of a larger system intricately linked to the concept of the State —a fictional entity that represents the collective will and aims to meet the needs of citizens. This paper emphasizes the critical role of emotional care in public service. It highlights how public servants' awareness and practice of emotional care may significantly enhance the quality of service they provide. Specifically, we will delve into the judicial field, where public servants, understood as members of the judiciary, officials and auxiliaries of the administration of justice, play a determining role. We will explore the importance of transcending established mental constructs, observing the profound impact of emotional care on jurisdictional and administrative aspects of the justice service. Consequently, this analysis will also shed light on how caring for emotions can help public servants to fulfill their ethical duty.