Procedural Algorithm for Ensuring the Right a Minor Suspect or Accused to Defense in Pre-Trial Criminal Procedure

Abstract

In terms of scientific interpretation and law-enforcement practice, Koryakina analyzes criminal procedure legislation that regulates ensuring the right to defense of a suspect or accused who haven't reached their legal age at the time of trial. The main problem here is that the procedure of pre-trial ensurance of the right to defense of a minor suspect or accused do not cover the full range of legal rights and interests as it is set forth by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation. Thus, the legal status of a minor is equalized to the status of an individual of legal age. The aim of the research is to discover new theoretical and practical provisions about the process of ensuring the right to defense of a minor suspect or accused at the pre-trial stage of criminal procedure. The research objectives include analysis of doctrinal and regulatory ensuring the right of minors to defense as well as analysis of specific features of such process. In her research Koryakina has also used sociological, formal legal, comparative legal analysis, systems approach and modelling, historical legal and logical legal methods. In her article the author offers new provisions aimed at developing the mechanism of protection of minors' legal rights and interests taking into account not only their age but also their lack of life experience. Thus, the scientific novelty of the research is caused by the fact that the author suggests to renew the procedure of ensuring the right of minors to defense.