Rangaistavuuteen

Rangaistavuus refers to the legal concept of criminal responsibility, or the state of being liable to punishment for an offense. In Finnish law, rangaistavuus is a fundamental principle that dictates when an individual can be held criminally accountable for their actions. It generally requires that a person has acted intentionally or negligently, and that their conduct falls under a specific criminal offense defined by law.

The determination of rangaistavuus involves several key elements. First, there must be a prohibited act or omission, known as the objective element (teko). Second, there must be a culpable mental state, the subjective element (syyllisyys), which can be intent (tahallisuus) or negligence (tuottamus). Certain defenses can negate rangaistavuus, such as lack of legal capacity due to age or mental impairment, self-defense, or necessity.

Furthermore, Finnish law emphasizes the principle of legality (legaliteettiperiaate), meaning that an act is only punishable if it was explicitly defined as a crime by law at the time it was committed. This principle ensures that individuals are aware of what conduct is prohibited and can plan their actions accordingly. The concept of rangaistavuus is central to the administration of criminal justice, guiding prosecutors, judges, and legal scholars in assessing guilt and determining appropriate sanctions. It upholds the balance between punishing wrongdoing and protecting individual liberties.