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Commentary on the Judgment of the Court of Cassation, Criminal Section VI, No. 37154 of 2023: Precautionary Measures and Mafia Favoring

The recent ruling of the Court of Cassation, issued on September 12, 2023, has raised important questions regarding criminal liability and personal precautionary measures. In particular, the case of A.A., accused of aggravated personal favoring of a fugitive, highlights how the assessment of evidential gravity can influence the court's decisions. The Court confirmed the validity of the charges, recognizing the existence of elements justifying the application of house arrest.

The Legal Context of the Decision

The Court of Bari, partially upholding the appeal of the Public Prosecutor, had already ordered house arrest for A.A., deemed to be seriously suspected of favoring D.D., a fugitive. A.A.'s conduct included concrete actions to support the fugitive's evasion, such as providing shelter and communication tools. The Court reiterated that favoring can consist of any act that hinders investigations, emphasizing that mere affectionate relationships cannot exclude criminal liability.

The conduct of the crime of personal favoring must consist of an activity that creates an obstacle to the conduct of investigations.

Reasons for the Rejection of the Appeal

A.A. filed an appeal outlining several grounds, all rejected by the Court. In particular, the first ground concerned the alleged lack of evidential gravity. However, the Court pointed out that the wiretaps clearly demonstrated active support from the appellant in D.D.'s evasion. A.A.'s actions were not limited to mere familial affection, but were part of a comprehensive operation of favoring a member of a mafia association.

Implications and Conclusions

The ruling highlights the importance of considering the context in which acts of favoring occur, distinguishing between familial relationships and legally relevant actions. The Court clarified that the exemption from punishment provided for in Article 384 of the Penal Code does not automatically apply to those acting to protect a family member, but requires a careful evaluation of the specific circumstances.

  • The subjective element of the crime is fundamental.
  • The affectionate relationship is not sufficient to exclude criminal liability.
  • The analysis of wiretaps played a crucial role in the decision.

Conclusions

The case of A.A. represents an important reflection on how Italian jurisprudence interprets precautionary measures and crimes of favoring. The Court of Cassation reaffirmed that criminal liability can arise from conduct that, although motivated by familial ties, clearly aims to obstruct investigations. This approach is crucial to ensuring the effectiveness of the judicial system in the fight against organized crime.