Criminal offenses against morality: comparative legal characteristics of the legislation of Ukraine and the Baltic countries

Abstract

Purpose. While comparing the Criminal Code of Ukraine with the criminal legislation of Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia), the goal is to find the best options for further development of the criminal legislation of Ukraine on liability for offenses against morality, taking into consideration current aspirations to radically update the relevant legal framework. Methodology. The comparative method is the key one for the purposes of the research. Critical comparison of the criminal law provisions of the Baltic States and Ukraine on the grounds of liability for offenses against morality has been made with reference to this method. The research also used such methods of academic cognition as: historical-legal, system-structural analysis, formal-logical, modeling. Results. Based on the study of the advantages and disadvantages of the legal framework of the grounds of liability for criminal offenses (crimes and misdemeanors) against morality in accordance with the Criminal Codes of the Baltic States recommendations for optimizing and improving the effectiveness of such rules has been developed, while taking into consideration criminal law reform processes in Ukraine. Scientific novelty. The study has revealed a number of positive and progressive legislative decisions, reflected in the Criminal Codes of the Baltic States on liability for offenses against morality. It makes possible to carry out their potential adoption in the process of further rule-making activities in Ukraine. Practical significance. The conclusions and suggestions formulated in the article can be used in law-making activities to improve criminal law of Ukraine in terms of combating encroachments upon morality, as well as in research and educational process as a basis for further comparative research on liability for offenses against morality in Ukraine and other countries.