Case-by-Case Means to Counteract Suicidal Behaviour In Russian Criminal Law

Introduction: the author states that anti suicidal norms in the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation are not limited by Articles 110 – 1102 but involve other – “casual” or case-by-case” – means to prevent suicidal behavior that impact on the definition of the acts in the event of the committing suicide by the victim. Bearing in mind that these norms nave not been analyzed, the purpose of the study is to fill the gap in the legal doctrine. Materials and Methods: the author used general and juridical research methods, namely, dogmatic, system, and logical. During the study the author used legal acts, court acts, court decisions, studies of legal academics, as well as poll results (594 criminal law practitioners). Results: during the course of the present research the author considers controversial issues related to the qualification of crimes for which suicide is not a constituent element, but, however, a factor that affects their juridical appraisal. Based on the results of the study, the author suggests some guidelines for legal practitioners. Discussion and Conclusions: the author concludes that casual means of counteracting suicidal behaviour take place both in the General and in the Special Part of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Most often they take the form of the “grave consequences” aggravating factor. Despite the fact that this understanding has become widespread in practice, a number of controversial issues related to it remain unresolved and require answers at the level of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation.