NEW ADMINISTRATIVE CODE: MEETING THE NEW PROJECT OF THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

On January 30, 2020, the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation presented to the public a prepared draft of the updated Code of Administrative Offenses. We should remind that the initiative for a change was shown by Dmitry Medvedev, who set the corresponding task, explaining that the code needs to be made clearer in March 2019. The active work started and in June of the past year an interim version of the law has been published and included a number of innovations, which were also reflected in the current edition. For example, it was offered to divide offenses by analogy with crimes into categories, according to the gravity of the offense.

It was offered to Remove a number of offenses and not to fine for the first committed offense and for not a gross offense, but to give a warning only. The fine can be replaced by a warning as well, if the offender has independently eliminated the damage or helped to prevent it at all.

However, there is tightening in drafts, for example, the statute of limitations is proposed to be increased to a year. In addition, it explains which offenses can be categorized as the gross offenses - corruption, arms trafficking, and extremist activity.

It is also proposed to expand the scope of administrative law by establishing that if an offense is committed outside the Russian Federation, the responsibility under the Code of Administrative Offenses will still occur in case the offense is directed against the interests of the country.

The text of the document can be found on the federal portal of legal acts.