| Abstract [eng] |
Due to mutual encouragement and support, accomplices become more confident in themselves and their actions. The understanding that they have accomplices who would support them and, in the event of unforeseen circumstances, help them carry out the planned criminal offence, influences individuals’ decision to join a criminal group. In recent years, criminal groups have expanded both nationally and internationally. As a result, states have begun to regulate organized crime in an effort to protect society and the rule of law. However, organized crime is constantly changing and adapting to shifting circumstances. Therefore, in order to prevent organized crime, more attention is paid to its regulation. This master’s thesis examines the origins of criminal organization that has influenced its international regulation, as well as the emergence and spread of new forms of complicity and criminal association in Lithuania. International organized crime is analysed, and its different forms are compared with criminal association. Finally, the historical development of the definition of criminal association in Lithuanian criminal law is analysed. In order to understand Lithuania’s official definition of criminal association, the thesis looks at the main and qualifying characteristics of criminal association established by the legislator. In order to emphasize that criminal association is the most dangerous form of accomplice, national courts have established additional facultative elements. Therefore, the thesis analyses all of these characteristics to argue the dangerousness of criminal associations. The final section of the thesis distinguishes criminal association from an organized group, and discusses the liability of criminal associations and their exemptions. |
