NCJ Number
113870
Journal
Rutgers Law Journal Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: (Spring 1988) Pages: 897-911
Date Published
1988
Length
15 pages
Annotation
The 25-year-old Model Penal Code is a great achievement and a significant development. This article suggests ways in which the law should be dramatically different by 2043.
Abstract
In 2043, criminal law will adhere to the principle of legality, forcing clarification of imprecise criminal code provisions and eradicating the use of broad sentencing discretion. Second, in 2043 criminal law will have moved toward greater support for the principle of culpability. There will be demands for refinements in doctrines designed to assess blameworthiness. Third, the criminal law will be subjected to increased systematic and rational analysis, a legacy of the rationality that created and organized the Model Penal Code. These three developments will have more influence on the development of criminal law in 2043 than will random and collateral social and political forces. 47 footnotes.