老年人犯罪从宽处罚机制研究

老年人犯罪是指60周岁以上的老年人所实施犯罪行为的总称。老年人犯罪呈现以下特点:犯罪率很低,犯罪年龄集中,犯罪主体文化程度低,男性居多,犯罪地域相对集中,累犯、前科少,共同犯罪较多,犯罪客体比较集中,诉前羁押率低,判处刑罚较轻。老年人犯罪从宽处罚,是周全弱势群体刑法保护的需要,是适应老年人刑事责任能力的需要,也是契合刑法谦抑性、人道性以及刑罚经济性、刑罚目的的需要。并且,我国立法史上历来存在"矜老"传统,而国外相关立法也值得我们借鉴。建议在实体法上,规定对老年犯罪人原则上从宽处罚,限制死刑、无期徒刑的适用,限制有期徒刑的最高期限,明确不构成累犯,放宽缓刑、减刑、假释的适用条件;在程序法上,规定对老年犯罪人慎捕慎诉,规定讯问审判时亲属在场权,完善指定辩护权,对刑罚执行予以特别关照。

On Mechanism of Mitigating Punishment to Old Criminals

The old people＇s crimes mean the offences committed by the elderly over 60 years old.The crimes have the following characteristics： the criminal rate is very low;the age is concentrated;the cultural degree of the criminals are low;most of them are males;the criminal regions are comparatively concentrated on some places;the recidivists and previous criminals are few;the co-criminals are more;the criminal objects are more concentrated;the pre-accusation detention rate is low;and the penalty is light.The mitigating punishment to old criminals is a demand of thoughtful protection for the disadvantaged minority,consideration for the elderly＇s criminal ability and is suitable to the humility,humanitarianism and economy and aim of criminal law.Traditionally,the legislation history emphasized the senior people.The foreign related lawmaking also deserves us to draw lessons.We suggest that the provisions include mitigating punishment to the old,limit the death penalty and life-long imprisonment,limiting the longest term of set term of imprisonment,definitely proclaiming no recidivist,and loosening the conditions on the suspended sentence,commuting,and parole.On the procedure law should prescribe carefully accusing and arresting the old,perfecting the appointed defense system,allowing the family present and giving a special care on the penalty enforcement.