Commentary on Judgment No. 45642 of 2024: Preventive Measures and the Non-Retroactivity of Criminal Law

The judgment No. 45642 of October 3, 2024, issued by the Court of Cassation, addresses a topic of great relevance in the Italian legal landscape: the applicability of preventive measures and the principle of non-retroactivity of criminal law. In particular, the Court has established that, in matters of preventive measures, the non-retroactivity principle laid down by Article 25 of the Constitution does not apply, but rather that provided by Article 200 of the Penal Code.

The Principle of Non-Retroactivity and Preventive Measures

The difference between preventive measures and criminal sanctions is fundamental to understanding the context of the judgment. Preventive measures are considered non-punitive but preventive, and for this reason, they do not fall under the principle of non-retroactivity of criminal law. The Court, in fact, clarified that these measures are governed by the law in force at the time of their application, thus allowing the assessment of social dangerousness to be based on offenses committed after the facts.

Principle of non-retroactivity of criminal law - Applicability - Exclusion - Art. 200 Penal Code - Applicability - Existence - Reasons - Consequences. In the matter of preventive measures, the principle of non-retroactivity of criminal law under Article 25 of the Constitution does not apply, but – due to their non-punitive, preventive nature, which assimilates them to security measures – the one established by Article 200 of the Penal Code applies, so that they are governed by the law in force at the time of their application, allowing for the judgment of qualified social dangerousness to be based on crime hypotheses considered symptomatic for such purposes under a law subsequent to the commission of the facts.

This decision marks an important distinction from other jurisprudences, where the principle of non-retroactivity has a stricter application. The Court of Cassation, therefore, establishes a more flexible approach oriented towards public safety, allowing an assessment of social dangerousness that takes into account recent regulations.

Implications for the Italian Legal System

The repercussions of this judgment are manifold and deserve careful analysis. First of all, preventive measures can be applied based on offenses that were not considered as such at the time of the commission of the facts, if such offenses are subsequently classified as symptomatic of social dangerousness. This may lead to:

  • Greater protection for the community, as preventive measures can be activated more quickly.
  • A possible extension of the duration of the measures, as their application can be justified based on subsequent offenses.
  • An increase in legal disputes, as defendants may challenge the application of measures based on subsequent laws.

Conclusions

Judgment No. 45642 of 2024 represents a significant step in Italian jurisprudence regarding preventive measures. It clarifies that such measures, due to their preventive nature, are not subject to the principle of non-retroactivity of criminal law but follow the provisions in force at the time of their implementation. This approach, while it may raise questions about its practical application, aims to ensure greater public safety, demonstrating how the law can evolve in response to the needs of society.

Bianucci Law Firm