The recent ruling of the Supreme Court, No. 12499 of 2023, provides interesting insights into the crime of simple bankruptcy and the necessary requirements to configure the subjective element of the offense. In this article, we will analyze the reasons for the decision, the importance of maintaining accounting records, and the application of Article 131-bis of the Penal Code regarding causes of non-punishment.
The case in question involves A.A., convicted of simple bankruptcy as the administrator of a company that was declared bankrupt. The Court of Appeal of Florence had confirmed the conviction, but A.A. appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that there was no necessary subjective element for the configuration of the crime due to a legal error.
The Court clarified that the error regarding the nature of the precept constituting the criminal offense is to be considered inexcusable.
One of the crucial points of the judgment is the issue of the subjective element of the crime of simple bankruptcy. A.A. argued that he acted in good faith, believing he was not required to keep accounting records since the company was no longer operational. However, the Court reiterated that an error regarding the extrapenal law governing the obligation to maintain accounting records is considered inexcusable. This aligns with previous jurisprudential rulings, which highlight that a misinterpretation of non-penal norms cannot exclude the criminal responsibility of the defendant.
Another interesting aspect of the ruling concerns the cause of non-punishment provided for in Article 131-bis of the Penal Code. The Court emphasized that, although the crime of simple bankruptcy is a crime of danger, this does not preclude the possibility of applying this cause of non-punishment. However, the rationale of the Court of Appeal regarding the refusal to apply this cause was deemed unsatisfactory, suggesting the need for a more in-depth assessment of the peculiarities of the case.
The ruling No. 12499 of 2023 by the Supreme Court reaffirms the importance of maintaining accounting records for company administrators and clarifies the boundaries of the subjective element in the crime of simple bankruptcy. Moreover, it offers a reflection on the necessity to carefully assess the causes of non-punishment, leaving open the possibility for a new examination by the Court of Appeal of Florence. This decision represents an important step towards a jurisprudence that is increasingly attentive and rigorous in matters of bankruptcy law and the responsibility of administrators.
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