The characteristics of the subject of a crime in pre-revolutionary criminal law (The Code of 1845 and the Code of 1903)

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Abstract: Problem. The absence of a comparative analysis of all four editions of the Code of 1845 (1845, 1857, 1866, 1885) with respect to the subject of a crime prevents the determination of the actual evolution of age criteria and the rules of imputability, as a result of which many doctrinal provisions on continuity remain unverified. Aim. To identify and systematise the legal constructs of the subject of a crime (age, imputability, liability of legal entities) in the Code of 1845 (taking into account the editions of 1857, 1866, and 1885) and the Code of 1903. Methods. Analysis of the official texts of the Codes of 1845 (editions of 1857, 1866, 1885) and the Code of 1903, employing the comparative legal method. Results. The experience of forming the doctrine of the subject of a crime in the Russian Empire is summarised. The historical-legal study covers the theory and legislation of the first half of the 19th – early 20th centuries: from the first reforms of the reign of Nicholas I Romanov and Alexander II Romanov to the draft Criminal Code of 1903, revealing the development of criminal-legal thought on the subject of a crime. The Code of 1845 legislatively established the age gradation of criminal liability, but did not yet know the institution of developmental immaturity in the modern sense (exemption from liability due to failure to reach a certain age). For the first time, the concept of developmental immaturity was introduced by the Code of 1903 (Article 39). At the same time, pre-revolutionary criminal-legal doctrine and legislation (the Codes of 1845 and 1903) contained a multi-level differentiation of the age of criminal liability and distinguished two types of non-imputability (insanity and developmental immaturity), and allowed limited property liability of legal entities without violating the principle of personal guilt. Conclusions. The minimum age of criminal liability was raised from 7 to 10 years (in the 1885 edition), and the limited property liability of collective entities (Code of 1845) did not contradict the principle of personal guilt. The dynamics of age thresholds and imputability criteria across editions have been established. These findings may be used to clarify Articles 19–23 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation with respect to developmental immaturity and liability of legal entities.

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Reagan Lee V. Bezugliy

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Email: rvbezugli@gmail.com

independent researcher

Russian Federation

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