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Die status van fiksies in 'n regstaat: opmerkinge oor ouderdomsgrense en die kind as dader en slagoffer in die strafreg
Abstract
Hierdie artikel ondersoek eerstens die oorsprong van ouderdomsgrense by bepaling van strafregtelike aanspreeklikheid van kinders asook by beantwoording van die vraag of 'n kind 'n slagoffer van 'n spesifieke (geslags)misdaad is. Tweedens word die ontwikkeling van die reels rakende ouderdomsgrense deur ons howe en wetgewer onder die loep geneem. Daar word deurgaans na die posisie in ander regstelsels verwys. Die nodigheid van ouderdomsgrense in die verband in die strafreg word vervolgens binne rasionele, regstaatlike en algemene geregtigheidsverband geanaliseer en geevalueer. Rigiede en onveranderbare ouderdomsgrense word as fiktief uitgewys en as onbestaanbaar met rasionele, regstaatlike en algemene geregtigheidsbeginsels verwerp.
The status of fictions in a constitutional state: observations concerning age limits and the child as perpetrator and victim in criminal law
In the first instance, the origin of age limits in determining criminal liability and also in answering the question whether a child is a victim of a specific (sexual) crime is investigated. Secondly, the development by our courts and legislature of these rules concerning age limits in criminal law are scrutinised. Reference is made throughout to the position in other legal systems. Thereupon, the necessity of age limits in this regard is analysed and evaluated from a rational, constitutional and a general justice point of view. Rigid and unchangeable age limits are pointed out as being fictitious and are rejected as being in conflict with basic principles of rationality and constitutionality as well as general principles of justice.
(Journal for Juridical Science: 2003 28(1): 19-35)
The status of fictions in a constitutional state: observations concerning age limits and the child as perpetrator and victim in criminal law
In the first instance, the origin of age limits in determining criminal liability and also in answering the question whether a child is a victim of a specific (sexual) crime is investigated. Secondly, the development by our courts and legislature of these rules concerning age limits in criminal law are scrutinised. Reference is made throughout to the position in other legal systems. Thereupon, the necessity of age limits in this regard is analysed and evaluated from a rational, constitutional and a general justice point of view. Rigid and unchangeable age limits are pointed out as being fictitious and are rejected as being in conflict with basic principles of rationality and constitutionality as well as general principles of justice.
(Journal for Juridical Science: 2003 28(1): 19-35)
