NCJ Number
189599
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 26 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2001 Pages: 4-6
Editor(s)
Susan L. Clayton
Date Published
April 2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article described the historical cycle of change in the Lithuanian criminal justice system after going through several foreign occupations and annexations and then independence.
Abstract
Lithuania was one of the first republics to declare its independence from the former Soviet Union and began operating under a new constitution in 1992, a year after independence. In early 1990, Penal Code 1961 of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic was adopted, entered into force, and has since undergone significant amendments, most notably the penal system and chapters on crimes against state, property and military service. Although a law was passed in 1991 that defined the goals, legal grounds and activities of the police, no specific law defined the prison and probation agency, as well as the lack of criminal procedures for juvenile offenders. The penal code divided all crimes into two categories: serious or other. The Code of Criminal Procedure specifies two measures in the restricting of a person’s freedom: temporary apprehension and pretrial detention. Pretrial detention can only be used in cases where the penal code provides for a more severe punishment than a custodial sentence of 1 year. The penal code distinguishes between principal additional punishments. Principal punishments are life imprisonment, imprisonment, correctional work, and fines. Additional punishments include the confiscation of property, a fine, and deprivation of the right to a certain job or performing certain duties. Capital punishment was abolished in 1998 when it was ruled unconstitutional. In addition, functions of the probation service were discussed, as well as the treatment of mentally ill offenders, minors, and victims.