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Golubovsky V.Yu.
Procedural independence of the investigator: theory and practice
Keywords: preliminary investigation, procedural independence, investigator, investigative actions, reasonable time, function
In accordance with the applicable criminal procedure law, it is determined that the investigator, as an official, by his actions supports the legal order established by the state, performs the function of the state to investigate crimes. The investigator's activity includes various procedural functions. However, it should be noted that their procedural independence is not always clearly visible in practice. The author has established that in order to increase the effectiveness of investigating a criminal case and to impose a fair, lawful and reasonable sentence, it is necessary to officially recognize and empower the investigator with procedural independence at the stages of initiating a criminal case and preliminary investigation. The purpose of the research is to develop theoretical, legal and methodological foundations that reveal the procedural independence of the investigator as a participant in criminal proceedings representing the prosecution. Materials and methods. To achieve the purpose of the study, scientific works in the field of criminal procedure law by Soviet and modern Russian scientists were used. The methodological basis of the research was made up of general scientific (dialectical, system-structural, logical, analysis and synthesis) and particular scientific (formally logical, specifically sociological, legal-technical and others) methods of cognition. Results. The investigator's mission in criminal proceedings is to protect the rights of the accused. A fair and lawful investigation conducted by an investigator is the basis for ensuring justice and preventing erroneous accusations. In the course of the study, it was found that unresolved problems that occur in pre-trial proceedings include making the decision by the head of the investigative body to cancel the decision to institute a criminal case lawfully initiated by a person who has the right to do so, for which a large number of investigative actions were carried out, as well as excessive workload of the investigator, which entails violation of reasonable deadlines for investigating criminal cases on violation of the rights of participants in the criminal process. Conclusions. The study defines the role and powers of the investigator in the modern model of pre-trial criminal proceedings. The present study eliminates existing theoretical gaps and conflicts in the sphere of ensuring the rights and legitimate interests of participants in criminal proceedings, as well as formulates recommendations for improving the effectiveness of procedural independence and determining the main function of the investigator.
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About authors
- Golubovsky Vladimir Yu.
- Doctor of Law Sciences, Professor, Leading Researcher, Chief Researcher of the Department for the Study of Criminal Procedure Problems of the Research NITS-5 for the Study of Problems of Investigation of Crimes by Preliminary Investigation and Inquiry Bodies, Federal State Institution Research Institute of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia, Russia, Moscow (63wladimir@mail.ru; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0587-2620)
Article link
Golubovsky V.Yu. Procedural independence of the investigator: theory and practice [Electronic resource] // Oeconomia et Jus. – 2025. – №3. P. 54-63. – URL: https://oecomia-et-jus.ru/en/single/2025/3/5/. DOI: 10.47026/2499-9636-2025-3-54-63.
