Russian Accelerated Inquiry: Modern Metamorphoses of the Procedural Form
Gir’ko S. I., Kharchenko S. V., Dolgopolov A. A., Kambarov A. M. Russian accelerated inquiry: modern metamorphoses of the procedural form. Penitentiary Science, 2022, vol. 16, no. 3 (59), pp. 274–284. doi: 10.46741/2686-9764.2022.59.3.005
Introduction: recently, the search for accelerated and simplified pre-trial proceedings both in Russia and abroad is a manifestation of the trend to humanize the criminal process. However, the analysis of the stance of procedural law scholars in the scientific literature considered through the prism of international standards of police inquiry does reveal the expediency of conducting an abbreviated inquiry. Defining the purpose of the research presented in the article, the authors link the current state of the accelerated inquiry efficiency with the definition of ways to optimize organization of crime investigation and solve a number of problems to differentiate the procedural form of inquiry. The following set of theoretical and empirical methods of scientific cognition of reality comprises the methodological basis of the research. Theoretical knowledge is based on the analysis of scientific sources and the authors’ reflection on the topic of legislative regulation of an accelerated inquiry; empiricism is derived from the practice of using this form. Discussion: the authors of the study evaluate the ongoing discussion in the Russian scientific literature on the problem to consider an accelerated inquiry as an independent procedural form introduced into the Russian criminal process. Development of hybrid models of criminal justice in two continental jurisdictions (on the example of France and Italy) is considered. In the countries of the Anglo-Saxon legal system, such as the USA, Great Britain, Australia, a simplified procedure is usually associated with the conclusion of a plea bargain both at the stage of investigation and legal proceedings. The CIS member states’ (Kazakhstan, Belarus, Moldova) approach to accelerated pre-trial proceedings only shortens its term. Conclusion: the authors see the solution to the existing problem in bringing domestic practices in line with international standards of police investigation procedures. The study shows that despite discussions of scientists, the accelerated inquiry model introduced in the Criminal Procedural Code of the Russian Federation, in general, meets the requirements, and organizational measures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia will allow to spread this practice. The results of the study expand knowledge about the unified procedure enshrined in the Criminal Procedural Code of the Russian Federation and contribute to its further improvement.
Keywords: Criminal procedure regulation; abbreviated form of inquiry; international standards; police inquiry; accelerated pre-trial proceedings; accelerated inquiry model; organizational measures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia; scope of application of accelerated inquiry
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