9. Cоставьте на основе прочитанного текста резюме, в котором опишите стадии уголовного процесса и роль каждого участника этого процесса. UNIT 4. THE CRIMINAL CODE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION TEXT The Criminal Code of the Russian Federation 1. Прочитайте и переведите текст. The Criminal Code of the Russian Federation is divided into a General Part, containing general
principles relating to criminal responsibility and assessment of punishment and a Special Part, listing
various offences and punishments.
Under the General Part persons are subject to the criminal law when they reach the age of
sixteen years for normal crimes, and fourteen years for murder and other grave crimes. Persons who
are insane at the time of commission of a crime may not be convicted thereof.
The Criminal Code introduces some factors that exclude guilt to go along with traditional
justifications such as self-defence or necessity or excuses such as duress. These include “innocent
infliction of harm,” by persons who, due to objective or subjective (mental) circumstances, could not
have appreciated the danger of their acts or have prevented the harm or who inflict harm while taking a
socially useful justified risk. First-time offenders who commit less serious crimes can be freed of
criminal responsibility if they engage in “active remorse” in the form of turning themselves in, aiding
in the solving of the crime or making restitution.
The goal of punishment under the Code is the re-establishment of social justice, rehabilitation
of а convicted person, and prevention of the commission of new crimes. The Code introduces life
imprisonment as an alternative to the death penalty.
The Special Part of the Criminal Code contains a typical list of crimes against the person
(homicide, sexual offences, assaultive conduct). A special chapter is devoted to punishment of
violations against “the constitutional rights and freedoms of the person and citizen”, among them acts
infringing on the inviolability of one’s private life, correspondence, and dwelling or on the liberty of
confession or assembly.
Entrepreneurial activity is protected by the Constitution and regulated by criminal law.
Offences connected with money laundering, restricting competition, false advertising, securities or
credit fraud, fraudulent bankruptcy, tax evasion, and consumer fraud are punished according to the
criminal code.
New provisions provide for punishment for “ecological crimes” and “crimes in the sphere of
computer information”, including hacking and creating viruses. The present Code provides for
responsibility for environmental crimes, some relating to general violation of rules, others to improper
handling of dangerous substances such as biological agents or toxins, still others protecting distinct
resources such as water, the atmosphere, the sea, the continental shelf, the soil, the subsoil, and flora
and fauna. Such offences as incitement to national, racial, or religious hatred are punishable in
accordance with the present Criminal Code.