Reform of Criminal Legislation in the Republic of Serbia

Following democratic changes of 2000, awareness was raised in the Republic of Serbia, emphasizing that reform of criminal legislation is a presumption for the accession to the European community of nations, but also a condition for the development of a state with the rule of law. With regard to that, in 2005 the National Assembly adopted Criminal Code, Law on Execution of Criminal Sanctions and Law on Juvenile Criminal Offenders and Criminal Protection of Juveniles, which entered into force on 1 January 2006. These laws have brought a number of substantially new solutions in the areas they regulate. Opening negotiations on the accession to the European Union on 21 January 2014 provided a strong additional impulse to reform actions. In fact, Chapter 23 - Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, opened on 18 July 2016, pertains, inter alia, to criminal law. Beside more intensive legal activities, further reform processes should also include provision of an effective answer to institutional challenges. In this book, the author has thoroughly analyzed those aspects of general revision of the criminal legislation which, due to the importance thereof, became the focus of his attentions.