Divoncir Schreiner Maran, a judge from the Mato Grosso do Sul Court of Justice (TJMS), was subjected to compulsory retirement following a unanimous decision by Brazil's National Justice Council (CNJ). This ruling occurred during the council's first ordinary session of 2026 and stemmed from Maran's controversial decision made in 2020 to grant house arrest to Gerson Palermo, a convicted drug trafficker serving a 126-year sentence. Despite his serious criminal background, Maran allowed Palermo to serve his sentence at home, citing health issues due to the ongoing pandemic.

The circumstances surrounding Palermo's release raised significant concerns, especially after he violated the terms of his house arrest by removing his electronic monitoring device and escaping. This incident not only demonstrated a lapse in judicial oversight but also highlighted the potential risks associated with granting leniency to dangerous offenders. Furthermore, the CNJ's investigation revealed the absence of medical documentation to support the alleged health conditions that justified the house arrest, leading to further scrutiny of Maran's decision-making process.

The compulsory retirement of Judge Maran serves as a reminder of the accountability mechanisms within Brazil's judicial system, emphasizing the importance of strict adherence to legal procedures and the potential consequences for those who fail to uphold them. The public's trust in the judiciary is paramount, especially in cases involving serious crimes like drug trafficking, and this case has reignited discussions about the balance between judicial discretion and public safety in Brazil's legal system.