• via Alberto da Giussano, 26, 20145 Milano
  • +39 02 4003 1253
  • info@studiolegalebianucci.it
  • Criminal Lawyer, Family Lawyer, Divorce Lawyer

Judgment No. 36011 of 2023: The Concurrence of Aggravating Factors in Criminal Law

The recent ruling of the Court of Cassation, with judgment no. 36011 of July 12, 2023, provides important clarifications on the configurability of the concurrence of special and common aggravating factors in the criminal context. In particular, the Court examined the relationship between the special aggravating factor of the paternal relationship, as per art. 609-ter, paragraph one, no. 1) of the Penal Code, and the common aggravating factor of abuse of domestic relations, as per art. 61, paragraph one, no. 11) of the Penal Code. This article aims to clarify the key points of this judgment and its legal implications.

The Legal Context

The judgment in question is situated within a complex legal context, where Italian criminal law confronts issues of great social relevance, such as domestic violence and the abuse of family relationships. Art. 609-ter of the Penal Code, concerning sexual violence offenses, provides specific aggravating factors related to the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim. Similarly, art. 61 of the Penal Code establishes common aggravating factors in cases of abuse of domestic relations.

The Ruling of the Judgment

Special aggravating factor of the paternal relationship as per art. 609-ter, paragraph one, no. 1), penal code - Common aggravating factor of the abuse of domestic relations as per art. 61, paragraph one, no. 11), penal code - Concurrence - Configurability - Reasons. The concurrence of the special aggravating factor of the paternal relationship, as per art. 609-ter, paragraph one, no. 1), penal code, with the common aggravating factor of the abuse of domestic relations, as per art. 61, paragraph one, no. 11), penal code, is configurably applicable, as the different "ratio," nature, and foundation of the two factors exclude the existence of an apparent concurrence of norms, leading to the operability of the absorption criterion.

Implications of the Judgment

Judgment no. 36011 of 2023 clarifies that the two aggravating factors, while both applicable in the context of family offenses, do not exclude each other. In fact, the Court established that, due to the differences in their ratio, it is possible to configure a concurrence between the two aggravating factors. This represents an important step forward in the protection of victims of domestic violence, as it allows for greater severity in the penalties imposed on those who commit such offenses.

  • Recognition of the seriousness of domestic violence.
  • Possibility of applying multiple aggravating factors simultaneously.
  • Clarity in jurisprudence regarding the interactions between different criminal norms.

Conclusions

In conclusion, judgment no. 36011 of 2023 represents an important legal precedent in the field of criminal law, particularly concerning offenses of domestic violence. The configurability of the concurrence between special and common aggravating factors not only offers greater protection to victims but also clarifies the application of criminal norms. It is essential that the legal system continues to evolve in this direction to ensure that justice is effectively achieved in cases of domestic violence.