Open AccessEncouragement to Commit Suicide or Assisting with Suicide: Critical Analysis
Author(s) -
Т. Д. Устинова
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
lex russica/lex russica (russkij zakon)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2686-7869
pISSN - 1729-5920
DOI - 10.17803/1729-5920.2020.160.3.151-159
Subject(s) - commit , minor (academic) , legislation , psychology , relevance (law) , criminology , political science , law , computer science , database
Taking into account recent changes in criminal legislation, the paper critically analyzes the features of a newly introduced crime in the criminal code, such as encouraging to commit suicide or assisting with suicide (article 110.1). Special attention is given to the methods of encouraging and facilitating suicide in terms of their validity, accuracy, content and the need to list them in the criminal law. Examples of excessive detail in the formulation of certain criminogenic characteristics are given, which contradicts the principles of legal technique. These include features such as persuasions, suggestions, advice, instructions, information, and a promise to conceal the tools or means of committing suicide. The elements of these crimes are considered in detail from the point of view of their relevance and reflection of the degree of public danger of the committed acts. This statement refers to such characteristics of victims that aggravate criminal responsibility, such as the age of a minor, the state of pregnancy, financial or other dependence on the perpetrator. The author proposes solutions for the classification of disputable situations when the crimes in question are committed against minors, the insane, or persons suffering from mental disorders. The paper considers cases when the studied crimes may be committed by a criminal community, and lists options for the classification of what was done. Special attention is given to the classification of encouragement to commit a terrorist act by self-detonation. The issue of responsibility of a minor who encourages a minor to commit suicide or contributes to his / her suicide has been raised as a matter of discussion. Proposals are made to improve the disposition of the criminal law norm. The author expresses reproaches to the notes to article 110.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which provides exemption from criminal responsibility in the commission of the investigated crime, and proposes a new edition of notes, which must be placed after the text of article 110.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, taking into account characteristics of the main and aggravated offenses.