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1.

BASIC
PRINCIPLES OF
CRIMINAL LAW
An overview of key concepts
and topical issues

2.

DEFINITION OF CRIMINAL LAW AND
ITS ROLE
Criminal law is a branch of law that regulates crimes and punishments. It determines which actions are
considered crimes, measures of responsibility and guarantees of the rights of participants in the process.
The main functions of criminal law:
• Protection of society and the State: Criminal law is aimed at protecting public relations from criminal
encroachments, which contributes to maintaining public order and security.
• Crime prevention: The establishment of criminal liability for certain actions serves as a deterrent to potential
offenders.
• Punishment of offenders: Criminal law defines the penalties that can be applied to persons who have
committed crimes, which contributes to the restoration of justice.
• Rehabilitation and re-socialization: Criminal law may also provide for measures aimed at correcting and
rehabilitating convicts, which helps them return to normal life.
• Guarantee of rights and freedoms: Criminal law protects the rights and freedoms of both victims and
accused, ensuring a fair trial and protection from arbitrariness.
The role of criminal law in society:
• Maintaining law and order: Criminal law contributes to the maintenance of law and order and public safety,
which is the basis for the normal functioning of society.
• Social justice: Criminal law plays an important role in ensuring social justice by enabling society to respond
to crimes and protect the interests of victims.
• Legal certainty: Criminal law creates clear rules and regulations that help citizens understand what is
considered a crime and what consequences may result from its commission.

3.

“There is no crime without punishment,
there is no punishment without the law,
there is no crime without legal punishment.”
—the norm of Roman law

4.

KEY PRINCIPLES OF CRIMINAL
LAW
01
02
03
04
LEGALITY
HUMANISM
FAULT
JUSTICE
The presumption of
innocence, according
to which the accused
is considered
innocent until his
guilt is proven in
accordance with the
procedure
established by law.
The punishment
should correspond to
the severity of the
crime committed,
ensuring a balance
between punishment
and crime.
The principle of "no
Ensuring human
crime, no
rights and respect for
punishment" implies
the dignity of the
that actions can be individual, even in the
recognized as
process of criminal
criminal only in
prosecution.
accordance with the
law.

5.

THE MAIN CATEGORIES OF
CRIMINAL LAW
A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE
TYPES OF PUNISHMENTS
AND THEIR GOALS
It is divided into crimes (serious
violations of the law) and
misdemeanors (less serious
violations).
PARTICIPANTS IN
THE CRIMINAL
PROCESS
Penalties may include imprisonment,
fines and other measures. The goals
of punishment are the restoration of
justice, the prevention of crimes and
the correction of offenders.
They include the accused, the victim,
the lawyer, the prosecutor and the
court, each of which plays its own
role in ensuring a fair trial.

6.

CURRENT PROBLEMS OF CRIMINAL
LAW
• Oversaturation of legislation: The complexity and redundancy of the rules can lead to confusion and
difficulties in law enforcement, creating risks to legal certainty.
• Application of the principles in practice: The impossibility or difficulties in implementing the basic principles of
criminal law, such as the presumption of innocence and humanism, can lead to human rights violations.
• The impact of international norms: The need to adapt national legislation to international standards can
cause conflicts and difficulties in law enforcement.
• Problems of law enforcement: Inefficiency of the judicial system, corruption and lack of qualified personnel
can negatively affect the fair and timely consideration of criminal cases.

7.

THE ROLE OF CRIMINAL LAW
IN THE PROTECTION OF
SOCIETY PREVENTIVE FUNCTION
A CRIME-FIGHTING TOOL
Criminal law establishes norms and
sanctions aimed at preventing and
punishing criminal acts. It serves as a
means of protecting society, ensuring
law and order and the safety of
citizens. The application of criminal
law allows the State to respond to
crimes by ensuring the responsibility
of offenders.
Criminal law performs a preventive
function aimed at preventing crimes.
This is achieved through the
establishment of clear penalties for
offenses, which creates fear of
consequences for potential criminals.
Preventive measures, such as
educational programs and social
initiatives, also contribute to reducing
crime and strengthening social
stability.

8.

PROSPECTS FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT OF CRIMINAL
THE REFORMATION IN
ADAPTATION TO NEW
LAW
MODERN CONDITIONS
TYPES OF CRIMES
Modern challenges, such as
globalization, technological
development and changing social
norms, require a revision of criminal
legislation. Reformation may include
simplification of procedures,
improvement of human rights
mechanisms and adaptation of
norms to the realities of the 21st
century to ensure fairness and
effectiveness of law enforcement.
The emergence of new forms of
crime, such as cybercrime, terrorism
and organized crime, requires an
update of criminal legislation. This
includes the development of new
norms, specialized bodies and
interagency cooperation to
effectively combat these threats. It is
also important to integrate
international experience and
standards to harmonize national
criminal law systems.

9.

CONCLUSION

10.

1. The main conclusions:
Criminal law plays a key role in protecting society, ensuring law and order and the safety of citizens.
Modern challenges, such as globalization and technological changes, require reform of criminal
legislation to increase its effectiveness and fairness.
Adapting criminal law to new types of crimes, including cybercrime and terrorism, is a necessary
step to ensure an adequate response to modern threats.
2. The importance of observing the principles of criminal law:
Observance of the principles of criminal law, such as legality, justice, proportionality
and protection of human rights, is the basis of the rule of law.
These principles contribute to the formation of citizens' trust in the legal system,
ensure the protection of individual rights and freedoms and contribute to the
prevention of arbitrariness on the part of the State.
Respect for the principles of criminal law is also important to achieve effective law
enforcement and ensure fairness in criminal proceedings.