Commentary on Judgment No. 15438 of 2024: Illegality of the Punishment and Continuous Crime

Judgment No. 15438 of February 7, 2024, filed on April 15, 2024, provides an important interpretation regarding the illegality of punishment in the context of continuous crime. In particular, the Court of Cassation clarified that the base penalty indicated by a judge does not necessarily have to comply with the statutory framework, provided that the final penalty respects the general limits established by the Italian penal code.

The Context of the Judgment

The case in question saw the Attorney General appeal against a decision of the GIP of the Court of Bolzano, arguing the illegality of the penalty imposed for the crime of robbery. The Court deemed this appeal inadmissible, emphasizing that there is no illegality when the judge, while indicating a base penalty higher than that provided by law, does not exceed the limits established by Articles 23 and following of the penal code.

Incorrect indication of the base penalty - Illegality of the punishment - Exclusion - Conditions - Indication - Case law. In the matter of continuous crime, there is no illegality of the penalty when, in determining it, the judge, while indicating a base penalty that exceeds the legally prescribed statutory framework, does not exceed the general limits set by Articles 23 and following, 65, 71 and following, and 81, paragraphs three and four, of the penal code, as regard must be had to the final measure of the penalty, regardless of the fact that the intermediate steps leading to its determination are characterized by calculations made in violation of the law. (Case in which the Court declared the appeal of the Attorney General inadmissible, who complained about the illegality of the penalty, as the base penalty for the crime of robbery, considered the most serious among those bound by continuation, had been identified as a prison term of less than one year, in violation of the provision of Article 628 of the penal code).

A Broader Perspective on Punishment in Criminal Law

This judgment invites reflection on the methods of determining punishment in cases of continuous crime. It is essential that legal practitioners understand that, although the indication of a base penalty may seem incorrect, this does not automatically imply the illegality of the final penalty. Among the European and Italian legal principles, Article 81 of the penal code establishes that the penalty must be proportionate to the crime committed and must take into account the circumstances of the specific case.

  • The penalty must respect the general limits established by the penal code.
  • The final measure of the penalty is the crucial aspect to consider.
  • The methods of calculating the base penalty may present violations, but do not undermine the legitimacy of the final penalty.

Conclusions

In conclusion, Judgment No. 15438 of 2024 represents an important clarification for Italian criminal law. It establishes that it is not sufficient to complain about an incorrect indication of the base penalty to contest the legitimacy of the final penalty, thus reinforcing the principle that the evaluation must focus on the final measure of the penalty. Lawyers and professionals in the field must keep these aspects in mind for proper management of defenses in cases of continuous crime.

Bianucci Law Firm