00815 - Criminal Procedure (P-Z)

Learning outcomes

Knowledge of the Italian criminal trial in its basic principles (including those of constitutional rank), in its structural and functional characteristics, in its modes of conduct (ordinary and special), and in its legal implications.

Course contents

The programme is spread over two semesters, each comprising forty-eight hours of lectures. In the second semester, an eighteen-hour module will be taught by prof. Silvia Renzetti.

FIRST SEMESTER

The lectures of the first semester, in the initial part, are devoted to:

• the fundamental rights of the person, outlined in the light of the primary legal sources (Constitution, ECHR and Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union) that require their protection;

• the constitutional provisions governing the organisation and exercise of criminal jurisdiction.

Then, after a systematic framework (also in terms of historical reconstruction) of the current procedural model, the main provisions of the code dedicated to the so-called static profiles, whose discipline is contained in the first two books of the code, are examined:

• subjects (judge; public prosecutor; judicial police; defendant; civil party and civil responsible party; defence counsel; victim);
• acts, with particular regard to the provisions of Articles 111, 111-bis, 114, 125, 127, 129, 133-bis, 133-ter, 134-143 e 177-185 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The analysis then shifts to the criminal proceedings as a dynamic phenomenon, ranging from the crime report to the definitive sentence.

In particular, the preliminary investigation phase is dealt with, reconstructed from the perspective of the activities that characterise it up to the decisive epilogues, represented by the alternative between filing and prosecution.

SECOND SEMESTER

 In the second semester the analysis of the so-called dynamic procedural discipline continues.

The following topics are examined:

• preliminary hearing;
• special proceedings;
• trial;
• preventive measures;
• appeals.

ERASMUS AND INCOMING STUDENTS

 They can agree with the lecturer on a special programme tailored to their specific training needs.

THESIS

Thesis will be assigned after one or more meetings with the student in order to decide the topic.

Readings/Bibliography

The students can choose one of the three handbooks below mentioned.

The chapters specified have to be studied.

Aa. Vv., Fondamenti di Procedura penale, IV ed., Wolters Kluver Cedam, 2023

• Chapter I - Sfondi
• Chapter II - Modelli e concezioni
• Chapter IV - La disciplina costituzionale
• Chapter V - Soggetti
• Chapter VI - L'atto processuale penale (in particular Section I paragraphs 1, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 4, 5, 7 e alla Sezione III)
• Chapter VII - Le prove
• Chapter VIII - Le indagini preliminari
• Chapter IX - Azione ed inazione
• Chapter X - Costituzione delle parti, presenza e assenza dell'imputato, partecipazione dell'imputato (in particular paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
• Chapter XI - L'udienza preliminare e l'udienza predibattimentale
• Chapter XII - I fascicoli
• Chapter XIII - Il dibattimento
• Chapter XIV - La modifica dell'addebito
• Chapter XV - Rapporti fra procedimenti diversi
• Chapter XVI - I procedimenti speciali
• Chapter XVII - Le impugnazioni
• Chapter XVIII - La tutela cautelare
• Chapter XX - L'esecuzione (only paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 4.1, 4.2., 4.3, 4.4)

G. Conso, V. Grevi, M. Bargis, Compendio di procedura penale, XI ed., Wolters Kluwer Cedam, 2023

• Chapter I - Soggetti processuali
• Chapter II - Atti (in particular paragraphs 3, 5, 6, 10, 11, 14-17, 32-38)
• Chapter III - Prove
• Chapter IV - Misure cautelari
• Chapter V - Indagini preliminari e udienza preliminare
• Chapter VI - Procedimenti speciali
• Chapter VII - Giudizio
• Chapter VIII - Procedimento davanti al tribunale in composizione monocratica
• Chapter IX - Impugnazioni (con particolare riguardo ai paragrafi 1-11, 13-16, 18-24, 26-34, 38-51, 54)
• Chapter X - Esecuzione (only ai paragrafi 1-3)

G. Lozzi, Lezioni di procedura penale, XVI ed., Giappichelli, 2024

First part

• Chapter I - Il processo penale
• Chapter III - Il giudice
• Chapter IV - Il pubblico ministero
• Chapter V - Le parti private
• Chapter VI – I rapporti tra giudizio penale e giudizio civile
• Chapter VII - L’atto processuale penale

Second part

• Chapter I - Il procedimento probatorio
• Chapter II - I mezzi di prova
• Chapter III - I mezzi di ricerca della prova
• Chapter IV – Le misure precautelari e le misure cautelari
• Chapter V - Le parti private

Third part

• Chapter I - Le indagini preliminari
• Chapter II - L’udienza preliminare
• Chapter III - I procedimenti speciali. Il giudizio abbreviato
• Chapter IV - L’applicazione della pena su richiesta delle parti
• Chapter V - Procedimento per decreto penale
• Chapter VI - Il giudizio direttissimo
• Chapter VII - Il giudizio immediato
• Chapter VIII - La sospensione del procedimento con messa alla prova
• Chapter IX - Il giudizio ordinario
• Chapter X - Il procedimento davanti al tribunale in composizione monocratica

Fourth part

• Chapter I - Le impugnazioni in generale
• Chapter II - L’appello
• Chapter III - Il ricorso per cassazione
• Chapter V - La revisione

Fifth part

• Chapter I - Il giudicato penale (limitatamente ai paragrafi 1, 2 e 3)

LEARNING MATERIALS

During the course, teaching materials (explanatory slides and synoptic charts) are made available to students via the Virtual Platform.

Teaching methods

The lectures are face-to-face and are characterised by a broad analysis in a critical key of the provisions od the Code of Criminal Procedure, starting from the general principles to arrive at the detailed profiles of the various institutes, with frequent references to the most significant case law cases (also in order to stimulate the students' reflection on the solution of controversial interpretative issues).

In this sense, the attendance of lectures, although it does not imply alternative examination modalities nor does it directly affect the final assessment, is fundamental with a view to grasping the systematic connections underlying the procedural system.

Assessment methods

The examination is oral and covers the topics dealt with in the textbook parts indicated in the "Texts/Bibliography" section.

There are no intermediate or partial examinations.

The assessment of the examination is based on the following criteria

• knowledge of the institutional profiles and fundamental concepts of criminal procedural law;
• ability to refer to jurisprudential and doctrinal orientations;
• ability to make connections between the different parts of the programme;
• ability to develop critical arguments;
• articulation and accuracy of exposition;
• correct use of technical-legal vocabulary.
  

Passing the Criminal Law examination is a condition for admission to the Criminal Procedure test.

Teaching tools

Students who, for reasons dependent on disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLDs), require compensatory tools can inform the teacher of their needs so that they can be referred to the contact persons and the most appropriate arrangements can be agreed upon.

Office hours

See the website of Daniele Vicoli

See the website of Silvia Renzetti