Ensuring the reasonableness of criminal proceedings’ terms

It is indicated that the current Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine dated April 13, 2012 for the first time at the legislative level established such a principle of criminal proceedings as the reasonableness of terms. Yes, in accordance with Article 28 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine during criminal proceedings, each procedural action or procedural decision must be performed or made within a reasonable time. The article is devoted to the analysis of criminal proceedings’ principle “reasonable terms”. During criminal proceedings, each procedural action or procedural decision must be performed or adopted within a reasonable terms. Terms that are objectively necessary for the execution of procedural actions and the adoption of procedural decisions are considered reasonable. Reasonable terms cannot exceed the terms of execution of individual procedural actions or adoption of individual procedural decisions provided for by the CPC of Ukraine. The pre-trial investigation is carried out within a reasonable terms by the prosecutor, the investigating judge (with regard to the time frame for consideration of issues falling within his competence), and the court conducts the court proceedings. The criteria for determining the reasonableness of criminal proceedings terms are: 1) the complexity of criminal proceedings, which is determined taking into account the number of suspects, accused persons and criminal offenses in respect of which the proceedings are being carried out, the volume and specifics of procedural actions necessary for conducting a pre-trial investigation, etc.; 2) behavior of participants in criminal proceedings; 3) the manner in which investigators, prosecutors, and courts exercise their powers. Criminal proceedings against a person in custody, a minor or a criminal offense committed against a minor must be carried out immediately and considered in court as a matter of priority. It is important to ensure the reasonableness of criminal proceedings terms to study this principle not only in science, but also in judicial practice, in particular, the practice of the European Court of Human Rights. Adhering to the reasonableness of the terms of criminal proceedings will contribute to the exercise of a person’s right to judicial protection, will ensure an effective and prompt investigation and trial, and thus will ensure the fulfillment of criminal proceedings’ tasks.