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Analysis of Ruling No. 33648 of 2023: Remedies and Limits of the Tacit Withdrawal of the Complaint

The ruling no. 33648 of June 28, 2023, filed on August 1, 2023, by the Court of Milan, offers an important reflection on the dynamics of the tacit withdrawal of the complaint, in light of recent legislative changes. In particular, Article 152, paragraph three, of the Penal Code, introduced by Legislative Decree No. 150 of 2022, establishes that the failure of the complainant to appear at the trial hearing results in the inadmissibility of the complaint, unless it concerns vulnerable individuals. This legal principle raises significant questions regarding the balance between the right to defense and the protection of the injured parties.

The Regulatory Context of the Ruling

The provision under examination is part of a regulatory framework aimed at making the criminal process more effective, limiting the possibilities of abuse by complainants who, for various reasons, decide not to appear in court. In this scenario, the ruling of the Court of Milan highlights that:

  • The tacit withdrawal of the complaint is automatic in the case of unjustified absence of the complainant.
  • The judge has the duty to ascertain that the absence is indeed unjustified and not influenced by external pressures or conditioning.
  • There are specific protections for vulnerable individuals, as established by Article 152, paragraph four, of the Penal Code.

The Role of the Judge and the Protection of Injured Parties

Failure to appear of the complainant at the trial hearing - Tacit withdrawal of the complaint pursuant to Article 152, paragraph three, of the Penal Code, introduced by Article 1, paragraph 1, letter h), Legislative Decree No. 150 of 2022 - Existence - Limits - Protection of vulnerable injured parties - Power and duty of the judge to ascertain. The inadmissibility resulting from the tacit withdrawal of the complaint, provided for by Article 152, paragraph three, of the Penal Code, introduced by Article 1, paragraph 1, letter h), Legislative Decree of October 10, 2022, No. 150, directly results from the unjustified non-appearance of the complainant cited as a witness, without prejudice to the provision of Article 152, paragraph four, of the Penal Code for the protection of vulnerable subjects, as well as the power and duty of the judge to ascertain that the absence is unjustified and to exclude any form of undue conditioning, in analogy to what is provided for by Article 500, paragraph 4, of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The decision not to appear in court cannot be taken lightly, as it entails a series of legal consequences. The ruling clarifies that the judge must exercise a power and duty of verification to ensure that there has been no conditioning on the absence of the complainant, especially in the case of vulnerable subjects. This aspect highlights the sensitivity of the legislator to the protection needs of the most fragile individuals, ensuring them a fair path to justice.

Conclusions

In conclusion, ruling no. 33648 of 2023 represents a significant step towards greater protection of injured parties and effective management of procedural dynamics in criminal matters. The tacit withdrawal of the complaint, although it may seem like a procedural simplification, conceals pitfalls that must be carefully evaluated and monitored by judges. The safeguarding of the rights of vulnerable subjects must remain at the center of the legal system's attention, ensuring that each case is treated with due care and respect.