scholarly journals VIDEOCONFERENCE AS A PROCEDURAL FORM OF USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS OF UKRAINE

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-181
Author(s):  
Maksym Smyrnov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
International Cooperation ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Video Conferencing ◽  
Criminal Procedure ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Criminal Proceedings ◽  
Voice Transmission ◽  
Opposing Party

The article deals with specific controversial issues concerning features of using videoconferencing in criminal proceedings in general as well as at its specific stages; also own conclusions and propositions are justified which are aimed at further development of criminal procedural legislation of Ukraine with the regard to the questions raised. The essence, meaning, advantages, current state, and perspectives of using videoconferencing in criminal proceedings of Ukraine and the area of international cooperation among the states in criminal justice are examined. The state of legal regulation of using videoconferencing in criminal proceedings is analyzed. Code of Criminal Procedure of Ukraine provides for using videoconferencing both in criminal proceedings of Ukraine and criminal proceedings with a foreign element. Based on the analysis of grounds and procedure of video-conferencing features of its usage both in criminal proceedings of Ukraine and in the area of international cooperation among the states in criminal justice are identified. Videoconferencing can be used based on the decision of an investigator, prosecutor, investigative judge, or court in each case taking into account circumstances of criminal proceedings and subject to grounds provided for by the Code of Criminal Procedure of Ukraine. Before the start of investigative (search) action or court session using video-conferencing one shall ensure that nothing prevents a person from giving testimony, making motions, providing evidence, etc. This fact is essential for the admissibility of evidence used in criminal proceedings obtained using videoconferencing. Conducting requested procedural actions by video-conferencing ensure that an accused person, a victim, and other participants have an opportunity to express themselves on the raised issues, make arguments aimed to rebut the conclusions of the opposing party, provide evidence and make motions during pre-trial investigation or trial. Specificities of conducting a questioning using videoconferencing in the area of international cooperation as well as advantages of obtaining testimony from individuals put into custody or serving a sentence in a foreign state using videoconferencing compared to traditional means are formulated. The issue of interrelation between videoconferencing and principles of criminal proceedings is examined and it is showed that using videoconferencing is fully consistent with principles of criminal proceedings. Videoconferencing is one of the procedural forms of using information technologies in criminal proceedings and is used to conduct an action, participants of which are geographically separated one from another and thus communication among them are conducted using the communication technologies that support real-time image and voice transmission.

scholarly journals The role of international bodies and organizations in the development of legal framework for application of video conferencing in criminal proceedings of the Russian Federation

2021 ◽  
pp. 31-41
Author(s):  
Mariia Aleksandrovna Iurkevich
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Russian Federation ◽  
Video Conferencing ◽  
Criminal Procedure ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
International Agreements ◽  
Criminal Proceedings ◽  
Short Period ◽  
The Russian Federation

Legal regulation of the use of video technologies in the Russian criminal procedure is conducted on the international and domestic levels. However, based on the primacy of international law recognized by the Russian Federation, the marker is the position of international community that is reflected in the normative legal acts of its special bodies, as well as on the doctrinal level. This article carries out the chronological analysis of the acts issued by international bodies and organizations pertaining to the use video conferencing in criminal proceedings. The subject of this research is the acts of international bodies and organizations that underlie the development of the national legal framework for the use of video conferencing in the Russian Federation. The analysis of normative acts that regulate the use of video conferencing in the Russian criminal procedure demonstrate that for the most part this question is being addressed in the international agreements ratified by the Russian Federation, rather than in the national legislation (considering the provisions of the Part 3 of the Article 1 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation). Leaning on the acquired results, the author concludes that such tendency can be explained by a number of circumstances, namely lag in the rates of digitalization compared to the leading European practices, insignificant period of approbation of the results of using video technologies, as well as relatively short period of intensive implementation of such technologies due to the amendments in criminal procedure policy of the country, which now requires exhaustive normative regulation. The author believes that it is more appropriate to begin the analysis of normative acts that determine the legal framework for application of video conferencing in criminal proceedings of the Russian Federation with the general principles and norms of international law and international agreements, since their role in intensification of the process of digital transformation of criminal procedure in Russia cannot be overestimated.

scholarly journals Criminal Procedure Code of Russia: Twenty Years Later (2001–2021)

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-188
Author(s):  
Oksana V. Kachalova ◽  
◽  
Viktor I. Kachalov
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Russian Federation ◽  
Criminal Procedure ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Federal Law ◽  
Criminal Proceedings ◽  
Criminal Cases ◽  
Procedure Code ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
The Impact

Introduction. 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation, adopted by the State Duma on November 22, 2001 by Federal Law No. 174-FZ. The development of criminal procedure legislation in these years was not always consistent, often characterized by chaotic and hasty measures. Nevertheless, the main factors that determine the development of modern criminal procedure legislation, as well as the key trends in the legal regulation of criminal procedure legal relations, have remained fairly stable for twenty years. Theoretical Basis. Methods. The object of the study is the norms of criminal procedure law that have emerged and developed during the period of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation since 2001. The methodological basis of the study is the general dialectical method of scientific knowledge, which allowed us to study the subject of the study in relation to other legal phenomena, as well as general scientific methods of knowledge (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, analogy, and modelling) and private scientific methods of knowledge (formal legal, historical-legal, and comparative-legal). Results. Among the variety of various factors that determine the development of modern criminal procedure legislation, there are several main ones: 1. The impact of international standards in the field of criminal justice on Russian criminal proceedings. Having ratified the European Convention for the Protection of Citizens’ Rights and Freedoms in 1998, Russia voluntarily assumed obligations in the field of ensuring citizens rights and freedoms, as well as creating the necessary conditions for their implementation. Among the most important criminal procedure norms and institutions that have emerged in the system of criminal procedure regulation under the influence of the positions of the ECHR, the following are notable: a reasonable period of criminal proceedings, the rights of participants in the verification of a crime report, the disclosure of the testimony of an absent witness at a court session, and alternative preventive measures to detention. 2. Optimisation of procedural resources and improvement of the efficiency of criminal proceedings. From the very beginning of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation, there was a special procedure for judicial proceedings, which is a simplified form of consideration of criminal cases, provided for in Chapter 40 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation. In 2009, this procedure was extended to cases with concluded pre-trial cooperation agreements (Chapter 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation), and in 2013, the institute of abbreviated inquiry appeared in the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation (Chapter 321 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation). 3. Social demand for increasing the independence of the court, and the adversarial nature of criminal proceedings. Society’s needs to improve the independence of judges, increase public confidence in the court, transparency and quality of justice led to the reform of the jury court in 2016 (Federal Law of 23 June 2016 N 190-FZ). As a result of the reform, the court with the participation of jurors began to function at the level of district courts, the jurisdiction of criminal cases for jurors was expanded, the number of jurors was reduced from 12 to 8 in regional courts and 6 in district courts. However, practice has shown that sentences handed down by a court on the basis of a verdict rendered by a jury are overturned by higher courts much more often than others due to committed violations, which are associated, among other things, with the inability to ensure the objectivity of jurors. In the context of a request for an independent court, Article 81 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation on the independence of judges (Federal Law of 2 July 2013 N 166-FZ) was adopted. 4. Reducing the degree of criminal repression. In the context of this trend, institutions have emerged in the criminal and criminal procedure laws that regulate new types of exemption from criminal liability. In 2011, Article 281 “Termination of criminal prosecution in connection with compensation for damage” was adopted, concerning a number of criminal cases on tax and other economic crimes (Federal Law of 7 December 2011 N 420). In 2016, the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation introduced rules on the termination of a criminal case or criminal prosecution in connection with the appointment of a criminal law measure in the form of a court fine (Federal Law of 3 July 2016 N 323-FZ). 5. Digitalisation of modern society. The rapid development of information technologies and their implementation in all spheres of public life has put on the agenda the question of adapting a rather archaic “paper” criminal process to the needs of today, and the possibilities of using modern information technologies in the process of criminal proceedings. Among the innovations in this area, it should be noted the appearance in the criminal procedure law of Article 1861 “Obtaining information about connections between subscribers and (or) subscriber devices” (Federal Law of 1 July 2010 N 143-FZ), Article 4741 “The procedure for using electronic documents in criminal proceedings” (Federal Law of 23 June 2016 N 220-FZ), the legal regulation of video-conferencing in criminal proceedings (Federal Law of 20 March 2011 N 39-FZ), and the introduction of audio recording of court sessions (Federal Law of 29 July 2018-FZ N 228-FZ), etс. Currently, the possibilities of further digitalisation of criminal proceedings, and the use of programs based on artificial intelligence in criminal proceedings, ets. are being actively discussed. Discussion and Conclusion. The main factors determining the vector of development of modern criminal justice should, in our opinion, include the impact of international standards in the field of criminal justice on Russian criminal justice; optimisation of procedural resources and the need to improve the efficiency of criminal justice, social demands for strengthening the independence of the court, adversarial criminal proceedings; the needs of society to reduce the degree of criminal repression, and digitalisation of modern society.

scholarly journals International Cooperation and Raised Issues in Implementation of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 2015

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Ngoc Chi
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
International Cooperation ◽  
Criminal Procedure ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
International Agreements ◽  
Viet Nam ◽  
Criminal Proceedings ◽  
Judicial Assistance ◽  
Hoa Binh

Via considerably revised and suplemented provisions, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CCP) of 2015 demonstrates the improvement of the legal framework on international cooperation in criminal proceedings. Such provisions of the CCP also harmonize with the Act of Judicial Assistance and international agreements with the participation of Vietnam. The article analyzes the grounds of revision and suplementation of the provions on international cooperation of the CCP of 2003 as well as mentions other issues of the CCPof 2015 need to be considered and to be improved to enhance the quality of this sector of criminal justice in the feature. Keywords Code of Criminal Procedure of 2015, international cooperation, judicial assistance References [1] Xem Nguyễn Thị Ly, luận văn Thạc sỹ “Chế định dẫn độ trong hợp tác quốc tế theo Luật Tố Tụng Hình sự Việt Nam”, Khoa Luật trực thuộc Đại học Quốc gia Hà Nội, năm 2015.[2] Nguyễn Hòa Bình, Những nội dung mới của bộ luật Tố tụng Hình sự năm 2015, Nhà xuất bản chính trị Quốc gia, Hà Nội, năm 2016.

Problems of legal regulation of the procedure for extending the term of pretrial investigation

2021 ◽  
pp. 97-102
Author(s):  
V. Zhmudinskyi
Keyword(s):  
International Cooperation ◽  
Criminal Procedure ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Criminal Proceedings ◽  
Legitimate Interests ◽  
Investigation Period

The article concentrates on the analysis of the main provisions of the criminal procedure legislation on the procedure for extending the term of pre-trial investigation. It is established that a pre-trial investigation shall be conducted within the terms set out in Article 219 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of Ukraine and unjustified extension of the pre-trial investigation leads to the violation of the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of participants in criminal proceedings. It is investigated that the term of pre-trial investigation of a crime can be extended by the prosecutor – supervisor of pre-trial proceedings at the request of the investigator, which the prosecutor is obliged to consider no later than three days from the date of its receipt, but in any case before the expiration of the pre-trial investigation period. It is noted that the prosecutor’s decision to extend the pre-trial investigation or to refuse it is not subject to appeal during the pre-trial investigation. Attention is drawn to the fact that in some cases, investigators apply to the prosecutor with a request to extend the pre-trial investigation period several days before its expiration, which may result in an untimely extension of the specified period by the prosecutor. Therefore, in order to prevent missing the deadline, the investigator orders the suspension of the pre-trial investigation on various grounds, mainly due to the need to perform procedural actions within the framework of international cooperation. It is proved that in most cases, based on the results of consideration of the investigator’s request by the prosecutor, an order is issued to extend such period, while a serious disadvantage of the specified procedure for extending the period is that the prosecutor issues an order to extend the period of pre-trial investigation, which is suspended at the time of such order. It is argued that the current criminal procedure legislation of Ukraine prohibits conducting any investigative actions after the suspension of the pre-trial investigation. Proposals have been made to improve the legal regulation of the procedure for extending the term of pre-trial investigation.

Prospects for the Implementation of Special Conciliation Procedures in the Russian Criminal Process

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 99-104
Author(s):  
E. V. Markovicheva ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Restorative Justice ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Criminal Procedure ◽  
Legal Analysis ◽  
Criminal Proceedings ◽  
Criminal Process ◽  
Traditional System ◽  
Common Features ◽  
Legal Method

In the 21st century, the concept of restorative justice has become widespread in criminal proceedings. The introduction of special compromise procedures into the criminal process allows for the restoration of the rights of the victim and reduces the level of repression in the criminal justice system. The traditional system of punishment is considered ineffective, not conducive to the purpose of compensating for harm caused by the crime. Restorative justice enables the accused to compensate for the harm caused by the crime and is oriented not towards their social isolation, but towards further positive socialization. The introduction of the ideas of restorative justice into the Russian criminal process requires the introduction of special conciliation procedures. The purpose of the article is to reveal promising directions for introducing special conciliation procedures into the Russian criminal process. The use of the formal legal method provided an analysis of the norms of criminal procedure legislation and the practice of its application. Comparative legal analysis revealed common features in the development of models of restorative justice in modern states. Conclusions. The introduction of conciliation procedures into the Russian criminal process is in line with the concept of its humanization and reduction of the level of criminal repression. The consolidation of the mediator»s procedural status and the mediation procedure in the criminal procedure legislation will make it possible to put into practice the elements of restorative justice.

scholarly journals The use of digital communication technologies in the context of a pandemic as a way to improve the effectiveness of justice

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-101
Author(s):  
E. V. Smakhtin
Keyword(s):  
Supreme Court ◽  
Russian Federation ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Criminal Procedure ◽  
Criminal Proceedings ◽  
Criminal Cases ◽  
Judicial Practice ◽  
The Supreme Court ◽  
Federal Constitutional ◽  
The Russian Federation

The article deals with the peculiarities of the activity of courts in making judicial decisions in the context of a pandemic. First of all, we are talking about the wider use of digital and information technologies in criminal proceedings, which have previously been repeatedly recommended by forensic science for implementation in judicial practice. Some recommendations of criminalistics are currently accepted by the Presidium of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation in its Decision dated April 08, 2020 № 821 and Review on certain issues of judicial practice related to the application of legislation and measures to counteract the spread of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the territory of the Russian Federation № 2, which provided appropriate explanations for their use in practice. In particular, we are talking about the possibility of using video conferencing systems for certain categories of criminal cases and materials that are considered urgent, although this is not provided for in criminal procedure legislation. It is concluded that it is necessary to change the current criminal procedure legislation, bring it into line with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, federal constitutional laws, federal laws and subordinate regulatory legal acts, including orders of the Judicial Department under the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation.

REVIEW ON THE MONOGRAPH OF OLEKSANDR TORBAS �DISCRETION IN THE CRIMINAL PROCESS OF UKRAINE: THEORETICAL JUSTIFICATION AND PRACTICE OF IMPLEMENTATION�

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 147-150
Author(s):  
Iryna Hloviuk ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Relations ◽  
Criminal Procedure ◽  
Scientific Work ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Criminal Proceedings ◽  
Theoretical Justification ◽  
Criminal Process ◽  
Procedural Law ◽  
Current Period ◽  
Legitimate Interests

Current period of development of the legal system of Ukraine is characterized by variability of legislation that regulates, in particular, organization of judicial system and implementation of criminal proceedings. Unfortunately, criminal procedure legislation is no exception, given how many changes and additions have been made to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine since its entry into force in 2020. Undoubtedly, like any other codified legal act, CPC of Ukraine in modern conditions cannot be unchanged, given the dynamics of public relations, the provisions of international law, decisions of ECtHR and number of attempts to solve identified problems of its application. Difficulties of criminal procedural law enforcement are manifested in such an area as the use of discretion of authorities in criminal proceedings, although without it application of legislation is ineffective. At the same time, lawful discretion in criminal proceedings should not turn into its opposite � arbitrariness, which will already violate rights and legitimate interests of individuals and legal entities. In criminal proceedings, given the imperative method of legal regulation and possibility of various coercive measures, including those related to the restriction of constitutional human rights, this issue is of particular importance, given, inter alia, that prosecution�s discretion applies within non-adversarial procedure, and the CPC of Ukraine does not always provide for the possibility of appealing such decisions in court. The peer-reviewed monograph consists of four chapters, which contain 10 sections. Structuring of the monograph is logical; the author analyse problems of discretion from questions of concept, signs and limits of discretion, and then moves to the characteristic of realization of discretion by judge, prosecutor, investigator, detective. In general, without a doubt, the monograph of Torbas O. O. �Discretion in the criminal process of Ukraine: theoretical justification and practice of implementation� is relevant, complete and fundamental scientific work, has scientific and practical value. Monograph of Torbas O.O. significantly enriches criminal procedure doctrine regarding the subjects of criminal proceedings, criminal procedure decisions and other areas.

Analyzing Foundations of Imposing a Monetary Penalty on Parties to a Criminal Proceeding

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 682
Author(s):  
Arman SAKHARBAY ◽  
Askar Kadyrovich KALIYEV ◽  
Moldir Saparbekkyzy BAIKOMUROVA
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Procedure ◽  
Criminal Proceedings ◽  
Criminal Cases ◽  
Regulatory Systems ◽  
Legal Nature ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Legislative Framework ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Original Approach

The research analyzes the possible application and effectiveness of a monetary penalty as one of the most useful sanctions to maintain the established order of criminal justice, as well as develops constructive proposals to improve the criminal procedure legislation based on the conducted survey. To this end, the authors of the article have studied the criminal procedure legislation of Kazakhstan and legislation on administrative offenses, considered scientific opinions presented in numerous publications on relevant topics and conducted a comparative analysis of regulatory systems in Kazakhstan, Germany, Austria, the USA and the UK. As a result, the authors have established that one of the main reasons hindering the adequate implementation of criminal justice is the violation of obligations to participate in criminal proceedings by persons named in the Criminal Procedure Code of Kazakhstan. To maintain procedural discipline, the court is provided with ample opportunities in the form of coercive measures, including a monetary penalty. The authors have investigated the legal nature of a monetary penalty and compared it with administrative fines. The authors have considered grounds and application procedures for this sanction in the criminal procedure legislation of Kazakhstan and some foreign legal systems. The authors have determined the problems of its implementation caused by the slovenly legislation of a monetary penalty that impedes law enforcement activity. A comprehensive analysis allows developing proposals for improving the use of monetary penalties as measures of coercion for criminal cases heard in the court. If these proposals are enshrined in the existing regulatory framework and put into practice, they will strengthen the discipline of parties to criminal proceedings, ensure the strict observance of criminal proceedings and increase their general effectiveness. Due to its conclusions and proposals, the article demonstrates the novelty of the conducted research, the authors' original approach to the analysis of information and innovative ways to improve the existing legislative framework.

scholarly journals ON THE DEFECTS OF LEGAL REGULATION OF THE CONCEPT OF LIABILITY FOR TAX OFFENCES

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 164-182
Author(s):  
Zhanna A. Nikolaeva
Keyword(s):  
Russian Federation ◽  
Tax Evasion ◽  
Criminal Procedure ◽  
Legal Liability ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Criminal Proceedings ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
The Law

The author analyzes the content of interrelated tax norms, administrative and criminal laws, which constitute the concept of liability for tax offences. The analysis makes it possible to identify the elements that cause non-compliance with the foundations of legal liability in criminal proceedings: its inevitability, equality of everyone before the law and the court, justice. Representatives of small and medium- sized businesses are placed in unequal, discriminatory circumstances in comparison with large businesses. In addition, the legislation on taxes and fees contains provisions which create obstacles for the operation of criminal and criminal procedure laws. Many instances of tax evasion, the non-payment of fees and/or insurance fees in large and especially large amounts revealed by tax services do not become known to investigative bodies. In this case, the principle of the priority of sectoral legislation ceases to work, since in criminal proceedings the provisions of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation cancel out the effect of the norms which are common to all types of crimes and express the foundations of a particular sector of law. This paper substantiates the need to improve the concept of liability for violations of the legislation on taxes and fees.

scholarly journals The subject of judicial control in consideration of complaints: controversial issues of legal regulation

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-109
Author(s):  
El'vira Mirgorodskaya
Keyword(s):  
Russian Federation ◽  
Criminal Procedure ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Criminal Prosecution ◽  
Constitutional Court ◽  
Constitutional Rights ◽  
Criminal Proceedings ◽  
Procedure Code ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Russian Federation

The purpose of this study was an attempt to theoretically understand the subject of judicial consideration of complaints against decisions, actions (inaction) of officials carrying out criminal prosecution. The research was carried out on the basis of comparative legal, formal logical, empirical, statistical methods. Judicial statistics for the year 2020 have been provided, and legislation has been studied from a historical and contemporary perspective, taking into account the practice of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation. The problem is that, in practice, for about 20 years the courts have had difficulties in determining the subject of complaints, since neither in theory nor in practice a consensus has been developed on this issue. The Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation also does not contain a definition of the concept of «subject matter». The situation is aggravated by the presence of evaluative concepts in the text of the law, leading to a varied understanding of the subject of appeal by the courts, which leads to a violation of the constitutional rights of citizens at the pre-trial stages of criminal proceedings. In the article, taking into account the analysis of the practice of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, legislation and the opinion of scientists, a recommendation was made to amend the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation to specify the subject of consideration of complaints in accordance with Art. 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation in order to eliminate existing contradictions in practice and increase the level of protection of individual rights in pre-trial proceedings.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document