Analyzing the Foundation of Real Criminal Jurisdiction in Confrontation with the Theorie of Public Interest, Retribution, and Deterrenc of Punishment

Hasani, Mohammad Hasan; Nazari, Sahar; Shirvani, Khadije

Analyzing the Foundation of Real Criminal Jurisdiction in Confrontation with the Theorie of Public Interest, Retribution, and Deterrenc of Punishment

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mohammad Hasan Hasani ¹

Sahar Nazari ²

Khadije Shirvani ¹

¹ Assistant Professor of Law, Faculty of Humanities, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran.

² MA Student In Criminal Law and Criminology, Faculty of Humanities, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran.

Abstract

With the advancement of human societies in various fields—including transportation systems, telecommunications, and computer technology—crime has acquired a cross‑border character. Consequently, most criminal justice systems, by recognizing real criminal jurisdiction (protective principle), seek to prosecute and punish perpetrators of crimes committed outside their territorial sovereignty but against their fundamental interests and vital values. In international criminal law, real jurisdiction is accepted as an exception to the principle of territoriality of criminal laws and the prohibition of interference in the sovereignty of other states. This situation makes it necessary to examine the foundation and scope of real jurisdiction. The aim of this descriptive‑analytical study is to investigate the foundation of real criminal jurisdiction in confrontation with the theories of public interest, retribution, and deterrence of punishment. According to the findings, the theories of retribution and deterrence are unable to justify real criminal jurisdiction. The foundation of real jurisdiction, like that of territorial jurisdiction, lies in the public interest theory. Under the latter theory, real jurisdiction is justified only when the enforcement of the criminal system proves beneficial in guaranteeing the dignity and collective security of citizens. Therefore, the broad recognition of real criminal jurisdiction in Article 5 of the Islamic Penal Code (2013) and Article 28(c) of the Computer Crimes Code (2009) is inconsistent with its foundation, based on the research findings.

Keywords

Jurisdiction

Real (Protective Principle)

Territorial

Public Interest

Retribution

Deterrence

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