Is the punishment imposed on women for committing intentional crimes consistent with the principle of justice?

About the author:

Almaz F. Abdulvaliev, Cand. Sci. (Jur.), Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department of Criminal Law Disciplines, Institute of State and Law, University of Tyumen, Tyumen, Russia; a.f.abdulvaliev@utmn.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0390-393X

Abstract:

The article considers the question of compliance with the principle of justice of the punishment imposed on women for committing, first, intentional crimes. The purpose of the study is to identify the causes and conditions that contribute to the fact that the court imposes a milder punishment on female persons than on male persons, thereby showing not only humanity, but also leniency. The main scientific methods for the study were chosen analysis of the norms of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, analysis of the judicial practice of courts of general jurisdiction based on the results of consideration of criminal cases. The positions of domestic and foreign scientists who had previously considered similar aspects in their works were studied. During the study, it was found that the courts resort to mitigation of punishment since women have dependent young children, and the very fact of their presence is also a mitigating circumstance. But at the same time, the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation does not consider such an important factor as the maintenance and upbringing of a minor child, which, in the author’s opinion, is necessary and important. Since it is necessary to exclude cases of leniency to those who are not engaged in the development and upbringing of their children. The problem is also those cases when the court appoints, in the opinion of the author, a mild punishment for crimes committed with extreme cruelty, sadism and bullying. This can only give rise to impunity and permissiveness among women, which in the future will lead to grave consequences for the institution of the family, society and the state. In general, such a humane approach for women goes against the principle of justice and even the principle of equality of citizens before the law. The author summarizes the need to make appropriate changes to the Criminal legislation of the Russian Federation to bring the norms of criminal law in accordance with the principle of justice and to prevent new crimes.

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