The Legality Principle: An Effective Way to Minimise the European Prosecutors’ Influence on Substantive Criminalisation?

Marie-Lena Marstaller

doi:10.5771/2193-5505-2016-2-161

Contents
- Chapter Expand | CollapseAuthorsPage
- 113–114 Titelei/Inhaltsverzeichnis 113–114
- 115–116 Editorial 115–116
- 117–227 Articles 117–227
  - 117–142 Positive Fault Requirements in EU Criminal Law Juho Rankinen Juho Rankinen 117–142
  - 143–160 The Last Imperative of Criminal Policy: Nullum Crimen Sine Confiscatione Vittorio Manes Vittorio Manes 143–160
  - 161–185 The Legality Principle: An Effective Way to Minimise the European Prosecutors’ Influence on Substantive Criminalisation? Marie-Lena Marstaller Marie-Lena Marstaller 161–185
  - 186–210 Belgium and the European Arrest Warrant: Is European Criminal Cooperation Under Pressure? Michaël Meysman Michaël Meysman 186–210
  - 211–227 Res Judicata in Criminal Matters and the European Courts – A Comparison Between Germany and Italy (Part II) Anne Schneider Anne Schneider 211–227
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EuCLR European Criminal Law Review , page 161 - 185

The Legality Principle: An Effective Way to Minimise the European Prosecutors’ Influence on Substantive Criminalisation?

Autoren

Marie-Lena Marstaller

DOI
- doi.org/10.5771/2193-5505-2016-2-161
- ISSN: 2191-7442
- ISSN online: 2193-5505
Abstract

This article discusses proposed models for a European Public Prosecutor’s Office with regard to the potential for influence of such an institution on substantive criminalisation - i.e. the way in which a criminal offence is applied in practice. To respect Member States’ sovereignty and to comply with the principle of subsidiarity, such influence of a European Prosecutor is to be avoided. Valuable insights regarding possible controls and limitations of such influence can be drawn from the situation in national legal systems. As contrasting models, the approach of the German system adhering to the legality principle and the English model of discretionary prosecution will be examined. The most important potentials for influence and options for limitation will be shown, especially focusing on the role of prosecutorial dismissals of cases and plea bargaining. It will be shown that the draft proposals for the European Public Prosecutor’s Office have developed in a welcome direction regarding the control of prosecutorial influence on substantive criminalisation.
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