{"title":"National Security Whistleblowing. Reflections on the Rationale for Exempting from Criminal Liability the Unauthorised Disclosure of Classified Information for the Purpose of Exposing State Wrongdoing","authors":"Tatiana Stoco","doi":"10.1007/s10609-024-09488-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10609-024-09488-w","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":43773,"journal":{"name":"Criminal Law Forum","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141928314","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Judging Gender: The Sentencing of South African Mothers Who Murder Their Children","authors":"Amanda Spies","doi":"10.1007/s10609-024-09485-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10609-024-09485-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Women who commit filicide are not only judged for their crime but also for their compliance/deviation from societal expectations of motherhood. Motherhood is interpreted through a specific set of socio-cultural norms with mothers needing to be loving, warm, selfless, and protective at all times. Any deviation from these norms can result in harsher sentencing. This article explores the complexity of maternal filicide and, the extent to which gendered constructions of motherhood are used in the South African criminal justice system to sentence women who murder their children. It examines how the dominant narrative identities of the bad/mad/sad mother influence the sentencing of these women and leads to inconsistent sentencing practice within the South African legal framework. By highlighting the disparities in sentencing and the importance of considering contextual information, it calls for reforms to ensure that sentencing aligns with the circumstances of these women, rather than reinforcing stereotypical perceptions of motherhood. It further highlights the need for reform to protect children from filicide.</p>","PeriodicalId":43773,"journal":{"name":"Criminal Law Forum","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141505904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"An integrated model for criminal responsibility in action: How Swedish criminal law operates without an insanity defence","authors":"Tova Bennet","doi":"10.1007/s10609-024-09484-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10609-024-09484-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In nearly all criminal justice systems, a defendant’s severe mental disorder can trigger special rules that excuse or exempt the defendant. Swedish criminal law adopts an alternative approach that considers all defendants to be equal in terms of accountability, or capacity for responsibility, and lacks any rules that excuse or exempt a defendant with a severe mental disorder or disability. This paper presents the first comprehensive study of how Swedish criminal law functions without an insanity defence. The analysis focuses on the legal assessment of <i>mens rea</i> and offers observations regarding the Swedish model that are of particular relevance for discussions concerning the potential and pitfalls of an “integrated” model for criminal responsibility.</p>","PeriodicalId":43773,"journal":{"name":"Criminal Law Forum","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2024-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140925800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"An Empirical Study of Publicly Appointed and Privately Retained Defense Lawyers in Plea Bargaining: The Chinese Experience","authors":"Lening Zhang, Hong Lu, Ming Hu","doi":"10.1007/s10609-024-09482-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10609-024-09482-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":43773,"journal":{"name":"Criminal Law Forum","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140667487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Four Faces of Intoxication in the Botswana Criminal Justice System: “Defence”, Extenuation, Mitigation, and Aggravation","authors":"B. Dambe, Badala Tachilisa Balule","doi":"10.1007/s10609-024-09481-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10609-024-09481-3","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":43773,"journal":{"name":"Criminal Law Forum","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2024-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140366457","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Insignificance Principle between Germany and Brazil: a Cautionary Tale on Legal Imports","authors":"Alexander de Castro","doi":"10.1007/s10609-024-09480-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10609-024-09480-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The discussion of the so-called bagatelle crimes has led jurists of some Ibero-American jurisdictions to develop the insignificance principle theory, which roughly states that conducts with a low degree of harmfulness do not constitute crimes even when all other prerequisites are satisfied. In Brazil, where it has arguably been most successful, the insignificance principle has purported to be an import of the German <i>Geringfügigkeitsprinzip</i>, originally devised by German criminal jurist Claus Roxin. We will start by comparing the two versions of the principle, emphasizing the possible misunderstandings in the conceptual importation. Then, we will analyse the consequences for the general crime theory of this problematic reception. Finally, we intend to bring to light some of the apparent impasses involved in the application of the insignificance principle. Given that the insignificance principle theory has been developed mostly by a literature focused on practitioners, our main purpose is to take stock of its state and contribute to stimulating a scholarly scrutiny on the matter. We conclude that, despite the confusion with its German namesake and the still unresolved technicalities, the insignificance principle theory has led to an interesting reflection on the relations between fundamental criminal legal principles inherent of the constitutional state and general crime theory. A more solid theoretical basis for excluding from the scope of criminal law conducts that pose little to no threat to society can improve the protection of individual and personal rights within the framework of the principle of human dignity.</p>","PeriodicalId":43773,"journal":{"name":"Criminal Law Forum","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2024-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140168872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Self-defence Against Metaphysical Witch Attacks: A Legal Conundrum in Anglophone Africa","authors":"Emmanuel Sarpong Owusu","doi":"10.1007/s10609-024-09479-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10609-024-09479-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Superstition-driven homicide is a frequent occurrence in many African societies. People charged with homicidal acts supposedly perpetrated under the influence of belief in witchcraft and juju sometimes raise the plea of self-defence or self-defence in conjunction with mistaken belief. Hence, since the latter part of British colonial rule in Africa, particularly the 1930s, the courts in Anglophone Africa have on several occasions been invited to address the question of whether killing suspected witches to repel supposed metaphysical attacks avails to accused persons the plea of self-defence or self-defence based on mistaken belief and, if so, under what conditions. Drawing on case law, statutes, and a range of pertinent academic literature, the present study explores the historical development of the self-defence based on mistaken belief plea in witchcraft-related homicide cases in English-speaking Africa. It examines the African courts’ attitude towards the self-defence against metaphysical witch attacks defence, highlighting the divergent perspectives of various national and regional courts.</p>","PeriodicalId":43773,"journal":{"name":"Criminal Law Forum","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2024-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140071195","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"THE CRIMINALIZATION OF FAKE NEWS: CRITIQUE ON INDONESIA’S NEW PENAL CODE","authors":"Vidya Prahassacitta, Harkristuti Harkrisnowo","doi":"10.1007/s10609-024-09478-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10609-024-09478-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This paper is aimed at finding the foundation of and the limits to the criminalization of fake news disturbing public order in Indonesia. In this paper, authors analyze several laws and court verdicts prohibiting the broadcast of fake news. Authors specifically highlight the latest development namely Penal Code 2023 having recently been passed. By using the framework of protection of a legal interest from harmful behaviour, the results of the analysis reveal that Indonesia’s historical, political, social, and cultural backgrounds justify the prohibition on the broadcast of fake news as a restriction to freedom of expression. This perspective is slightly different compared to the western ideals that prefer to allow negative (or untrue) opinions to be conveyed in the public sphere as long as they do not endanger individual, public order, or even national security. The fake news broadcast offense is a kind of indirect incitement on an autonomous individual to commit an act harming public order. This harm constitutes a remote harm. In order that the criminalization of fake news shall be in accordance with the freedom of expression, this criminalization should be made specifically and strictly. The criminalization shall only be made against a clear and present danger. Unfortunately, after analyzing the provisions of the Penal Code 2023, authors find out that the formulation of the fake news broadcast offense is not specific and not strict; therefore, this is against the freedom of expression. In the end, the applicable law should be improved.</p>","PeriodicalId":43773,"journal":{"name":"Criminal Law Forum","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2024-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139981053","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Extradition and Whole Life Sentences","authors":"Dirk van Zyl Smit, Christopher Seeds","doi":"10.1007/s10609-023-09476-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10609-023-09476-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Sentences of life imprisonment without a prospect of adequate review and release are prohibited in States party to the European Convention on Human Rights. Should the same principle apply when extradition is sought to States not party to the Convention? In <i>Sanchez Sanchez v United Kingdom</i> (2022), the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights applied a less strict standard for potential extraditees facing life without parole. We analyse this decision and its repercussions in light of the history of international cooperation in extreme punishment cases between Europe and the USA and recent interpretations of the new standard. The article concludes with an assessment of the level of proof litigants must present to satisfy the <i>Sanchez Sanchez</i> test and of how the law could continue to prevent inhuman and degrading treatment of extraditees facing life sentences.</p>","PeriodicalId":43773,"journal":{"name":"Criminal Law Forum","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2023-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138630611","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comments on the Crime of Aggression Taking into Account the 4th Edition of the Commentary of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court","authors":"Socorro Flores-Liera","doi":"10.1007/s10609-023-09469-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10609-023-09469-5","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":43773,"journal":{"name":"Criminal Law Forum","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2023-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139234261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}