Fast-track procedure in the criminal process: is there a limit for differentiation of the criminal proceedings?

Abstract

The article defines the dependence of the procedural form of criminal proceedings and its differentiation on the needs of the society at different stages of its development. Overly simplified dissemination of criminal proceedings leads to the abandonment of a full proof in the majority of criminal cases. The author defines the limits of possible simplification of forms of criminal proceedings. The fact-track criminal procedures - a special criminal procedure on plea of guilty and plea agreement - do not comply with the objectives of criminal proceedings and do not fully protect the interests of any person, the interests of the society and the state. The article outlines the main directions for reforming the fast-track criminal procedure and proposes to limit the possibility of a special procedure for rendering a decision to the categories of criminal cases such as lesser gravity and medium gravity crimes, and to clearly define the elements of crime which allow plea agreement.