Category of guilt in criminal law: economic approach

Abstract

The subject of the paper is guilt as criminal legal category.The main aim of the paper is to confirm or disprove the hypothesis that there is a need for risk management in order to prevent crime.The description of methodology. The author uses economic approach and the theory of rational choice as well as the dialectic and formal-legal methodology.The main results and scope of their application. The greater the probability of socially dangerous consequences of actions, the greater the risk, the greater the degree of guilt of the subject and the degree of danger of the crime. In criminalization the risks should be optimally distributed between the state (installs criminal prohibitions) and the citizens (complying with those prohibitions), as well as between the potential offender and the victim. It is necessary to quantify the risk of socially dangerous consequences (for example, as a percentage) for each form of guilt. This will make it possible to streamline and develop forms of guilt, to correlate specific types of guilt with specific crimes in terms of the risks that the crime carries. New forms of guilt, in particular criminal ignorance, need to be introduced. Unlike negligence, which is difficult to control, ignorance, as well as competence, can be fully controlled. It is necessary to take into account the guilt of the victim, who by his behavior contributed to the crime. If the victim has not taken all precautions ( the more provoked the offender) - he must share the overall result, bear the risk of socially dangerous consequences. If there is a violation of the rules of conduct by the offender and the victim, the court should have the right to substantially mitigate the punishment or to refuse to apply it at all, taking into account the nature and extent of the violations committed by each party. For example, with regard to crimes of minor gravity when the victim provoking a crime, failure to take precautions should provide for mandatory exemption from criminal liability with compensation for harm in civil law. Premeditated intent seriously complicates the disclosure of crimes. This intent should be seen as a basis for more severe sanctions. The results of research may be used as the basis of correction of the criminal legislation.It is concluded that any form of guilt in any legal system is based on an assessment of the risks of negative consequences.