Glosa do Postanowienia Sądu Najwyższego z dnia 26 maja 2021 r., sygn. akt I KZP 11/20

Abstract

Historical, systemic and purposeful interpretations make it impossible to assume, as the Supreme Court did in the decision discussed herein, that the mere physical presence for military service, even when one is in a physical state that makes it impossible to serve, abolishes the punishability of the act under Article 144 § 1 of the Polish Criminal Code. The duty to defend the Republic of Poland, as one of the constitutional civic duties, covers in its scope such performance of military service, that increases the state’s defense potential. Reporting for service under the influence of alcohol reduces this potential. Only behavior aimed at protecting the legal good in the form of state defense abolishes the punishability of the act in question. Failure to appear for service is punishable when it covers the physical failure to report for service, but also reporting for duty in such a physical or mental state that excludes the ability to perform this service. Also, the lack of, for example, documents necessary for admission to service implies the commission of the said crime.