The restrictive function of legal responsibility and the limits of its action through the prism of proportionality principle

Abstract

We draw attention to the problem of excessive restriction risk of human and civil rights and freedoms in the process of establishing and applying the institution of legal responsibility by the state. We consider general theoretical issues of the concept and functions of legal responsibility. We substantiate the position on the need to separate the restrictive function from legal liability. As an intersectoral institution of Russian legislation, legal re-sponsibility is characterized by the performance of the following functions: restrictive, preventive, guaranteeing, restorative and educational. We draw attention to the issues of legal liability proportionality in relation to its restric-tive function. We disclose the content of proportionality principle in relation to legal responsibility as an intersectoral institution of legislation. We imagine that the remedy actively used in the legal policy of the state in the form of legal punishment and legal responsibility in general should correspond to the maximum extent to proportionality principle in order to prevent arbitrary and excessive restriction of rights and freedoms. Various kinds of deviations, deviations from the principle of proportionality of legal responsibility are supposed to be interpreted in theory as one of the most important prerequisites for the formation of dysfunction and imbalance of the institution in question. Violation of proportionality principle of responsibility in law is proposed to be interpreted as its dysfunction.