Objectives and competences
To convey an in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge about the Slovenian and comparative system of criminal law, its main theoretical foundations and elements from the perspective of crime control, its special part with incriminations as well as from the perspective of protection of basic human rights.
In addition the subject provides and overview of main concepts, institutions and incriminations of international criminal law. Knowledge on basic structures and dynamics of criminal procedure is also conveyed, with an emphasis on human rights. The emphasis lies on the current issues from the (court) practice in Slovenia.
Content (Syllabus outline)
1. Introduction
- Role and concept of criminal law
- Branches of criminal law
- Differentiation between criminal act, misdemeanours and disciplinary offences
2. Substantive criminal law
- Sources
- Principles
- Temporal, geographical and personal application of criminal law
- Systematisation of act, definition of a criminal act, unlawfulness, guilt of a criminal act
- Justification and excuses
- Aiding and abetting, co-perpetration, indirect perpetration and inciting to commit a criminal act
- Criminalisation of participation in organised and international crimes
- Intention, preparatory acts, attempt, completed criminal act
- Basic teachings on criminal responsibility of juveniles and legal entities
- Penalties, security measures, probation and legal consequences of a criminal act for natural and legal entities
- Basic teachings on international criminal law and criminal law of European Union
3. Criminal procedural law
- Principles
- Constitutional rights of the defendant and suspect
- Subjects in criminal procedure (defendant, court, prosecutor, defence attorney, witness, expert, victim) from the legislative and constitutional point of view
- Objects of criminal procedure (standard of proof, files, etc.)
- Restriction put upon the defendant (personal, real)
- Powers of the police after the criminal act, investigation with investigatory acts, charges, trial, regular and irregular legal remedies in procedure in district court
- Other forms of criminal procedures in Slovenia (quick procedure, procedure against juveniles, legal entities, mentally incapable, plea bargaining, etc.)
- Basic teachings on international cooperation in criminal matters
- The influence of the case law of American Supreme Court and European Court for Human Rights on Slovenian criminal procedure
- Current issues of current trial procedures
Learning and teaching methods
Lectures (seminars, lectures, case studies,), tutorial (discussions, case study), individual consultations with the lecturer. Students must go to the trial at the court.
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
The student will be able to analyse the criminal law system of the Republic of Slovenia and distinguish between criminal law and minor offence law, describe and explain the functioning of criminal law institutions, as well as explain the general principles of criminal law and analyse selected criminal offences. The student will be able to interpret criminal law as a science, as part of positive law, as a tool of repression, and as a means of protecting human rights and freedoms, applying the principle of legality and the principle of humane enforcement of criminal law provisions in practical cases. The student will be able to assess the importance of respecting human rights in pre-trial proceedings, particularly in police work, define the position, role, and function of criminal law within the legal system, and justify the significance of the principle of limited repression and the principle of ultima ratio in criminal law. The student will explain the impact of constitutional provisions and international obligations on the criminal law of the Republic of Slovenia, describe the development, scope, and types of rules and institutions in international criminal law, and present methods and forms of international cooperation in the criminal law context. Furthermore, the student will be able to analyse and interpret current criminal law issues from practice and media reporting.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
The student will also be able to apply criminal law in solving practical problems, evaluate and explain current issues from a criminal law perspective, uphold fundamental human rights and freedoms in criminal proceedings, assess the compliance of actions with criminal law provisions and the principle of legality, ensure the legal protection of human rights both materially and procedurally, and relate theoretical knowledge to real-life cases and public discourse.
Readings
- Dežman, Z. (2002). Kazensko procesno pravo Republike Slovenije. Gospodarski vestnik.
- Gorkič, P. (2010). Praktikum za kazensko procesno pravo – odločbe in mnenja. Gospodarski vestnik.
- Zupančič, Boštjan M. idr. (2000). Ustavno kazensko procesno pravo. Pasadena.
- Bavcon, L., Šelih, A., Korošec, D., Ambrož, M. in Filipčič, K. (2013). Kazensko pravo, Splošni del. Uradni list RS.
- Šepec, M. in Zgaga, S. (2012). Praktikum za kazensko materialno pravo. Fakulteta za varnostne vede.
- Ustava Republike Slovenije. (1991, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2013, 2016, 2021). Uradni list RS, (33/91-I, 42/97 – UZS68, 66/00 – UZ80, 24/03 – UZ3a, 47, 68, 69/04 – UZ14, 69/04 – UZ43, 69/04 – UZ50, 68/06 – UZ121, 140, 143, 47/13 – UZ148, 47/13 – UZ90, 97, 99, 75/16 – UZ70a, 92/21 – UZ62a).
- Kazenski zakonik (KZ-1-UPB2). (2012). Uradni list RS, (50/12).
- Zakon o odgovornosti pravnih oseb za kazniva dejanja (ZOPOKD). (2004, 2008, 2012). Uradni list RS, (98/04, 65/08, 57/12).
- Zakon o kazenskem postopku (ZKP). (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024). Uradni list RS, (176/21 – uradno prečiščeno besedilo, 96/22 – odl. US, 2/23 – odl. US, 89/23 – odl. US, 53/24).
- Zakon o sodelovanju v kazenskih zadevah z državami članicami Evropske unije (ZSKZDČEU-1). (2013, 2025, 2018, 2021). Uradni list RS, (48/13, 37/15, 22/18, 94/21).
- Zakon o odvzemu premoženja nezakonitega izvora (ZOPNI). (2011, 2014, 2018). Uradni list RS, (91/11, 25/14, 53/18 – dl. US).
- Evropska konvencija o varstvu človekovih pravic: spremenjena s Protokoli št. 11, 14 in 15: dopolnjena s Protokoli št. 1, 4, 6, 7, 12, 13 in 16. (n. d.). Evropsko sodišče za človekove pravice, Council of Europe. https://www.echr.coe.int/documents/d/echr/convention_slv
Prerequisits
Students must have or concurrently with this subject acquire knowledge in the field of understanding law, the structure of the state, and criminology.
Additional information on implementation and assessment Participation in lectures and seminars (min. 80 percent) and visit to the trial at the court with the preparation of a seminar paper is a precondition for taking the written examination.
