Crimes and punishments for violating the rules of drinking trade in Russia (1863‒1894)

Relevance . Crimes in the alcohol trade cause significant damage to the State budget and national morality. The study of crimes and penalties for violation of regulations on drinking trade during the period of free circulation of drinks can indicate the direction of improvement of the modern excise mechanism, clarify the scientific view of drinking liberalization in post-reform Russia. The purpose of the article is to highlight the types of crimes and punishments in the drinking trade during excise time, to identify ways to reduce "drinking" crimes. The objectives are determined by the stated theme and consist in: to characterize crimes in the wine trade; to indicate the penalties provided for by excise legislation; to assess the effectiveness of combating violations in the conditions of free alcohol turnover. The methodology includes the principles of objectivity, consistency, historicism, in addition to which historical-genetic, historical-typological, historical-statistical methods were used. Results. During the excise period, many places for drinking were opened. A considerable part of the sellers resorted to illegal ways of making a profit. Crimes in the wine trade outnumbered crimes in the distillery. A significant percentage was trade without taking a patent and the release of alcohol of inappropriate quality. Monetary penalties prevailed as punishment. Despite the gradual tightening of excise legislation, the number of crimes in the drinking trade remained significant due to the personal interest of wine merchants and insufficient control by excise authorities. This became one of the reasons for replacing the excise system with a state-owned wine monopoly. Conclusion . During the excise period, the systematization of crimes in the drinking trade was carried out and measures to counteract criminal acts were developed. The severity of the punishment depended on the degree of damage. The state monopoly was called upon to stop crimes in the wine trade.