Review of the Resolutions of the Supreme Court Criminal Chamber Concerning Substantive and Procedural Criminal Law in 2021

Abstract

Summary The article is of a scientific and research nature, and its subject is an analysis of the resolutions and decisions of the Supreme Court Criminal Chamber in the field of procedural criminal law issued in 2021, as a result of the examination of the so-called legal questions. The subject of the considerations are: the absence of a public prosecutor at the main hearing and his conviction without taking evidence proceedings (Article 387 § 2 of the CCP), a complaint against the decision of the appellate court to revoke a preventive measure (Article 426 § 2 of the CCP), the conditions for deciding by the highest court of legal issues (Article 441 § 1 of the CCP), compensation for undoubtedly unjustified temporary arrest or detention (Article 552 § 4 of the CCP), reimbursement of the costs of appointing a defense attorney (Article 632 (2) of the CCP), funds in a bank account as material evidence (Article 86 (13) of the Act on Counteracting Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing, Article 106a of the Banking Act), proceedings under the existing provisions (Article 25 (3) of the Act of 11 March 2016 amending the Act – the Code of Criminal Procedure and certain other acts), presentation to the Supreme Court to resolve legal issues (Article 82 § 1 and Article 83 § 1 of the Act on the Court of above). The research basically aims to evaluate the legitimacy of this body’s interpretation of the regulations covering the legal issues referred to the Supreme Court for resolution. The main research theses consist in showing that the so-called legal questions referred to the Supreme Court play an important role in ensuring the uniformity of common and military courts’ judgements because the body’s stand is based on in-depth reasoning. The research findings are original in nature as they creatively develop the interpretation contained in the resolutions analysed. The range of the research is mainly national. The article is especially important for science because it contains a deepened dogmatic analysis and a big load of theoretical thought as well as it is practically useful as it enriches the Supreme Court’s arguments or refers to circumstances justifying different opinions.