There is a lot of red tape involved in the law enforcement system, and it can take months to actually hold a trial for a criminal because of formalities.

There was so much red tape surrounding the investigation that the inspector couldn’t get in to look at it until all of his papers were cleared.

Because there are so many things that have to be done before someone can be convicted of a crime, these loads of red tape can inhibit justice for months at a time.

Red tape is usually referring to processes and paperwork that are formally necessary but really only take up valuable time.

I was hoping that the criminal would be convicted of his murder months ago, but mounds of red tape in the form of an unneeded investigation has made things much slower.