Most acts of hooliganism are committed while under the influence of alcohol

The public danger posed by hooliganism lies in the gross violation of public order and the inviolability of citizens, causing harm to their health or property. At the same time, hooligan actions are often the first experience of criminal behavior, and sometimes develop into grave and especially grave crimes against individuals or property. For committing petty hooliganism (administratively punishable), manifested in obscene language in a public place, offensive harassment of citizens, and other intentional actions that grossly violate public order, the activities of organizations and the peace of citizens, and are expressed in clear disrespect for society, the sanction of Article 17.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus provides for a penalty such as a fine in the amount of from 2

up to 30 basic units or administrative arrest for up to 15 days. Responsibility for committing the above-mentioned unlawful acts shall arise from the age of fourteen.

Thus, in 2014, 3 minors were brought to administrative responsibility under Art. 17.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus in the Vitebsk transport region.

In 2015, a minor resident of the Beshenkovichi district, who used obscene language in the administrative building of the Vitebsk Department of Internal Affairs of Transport, was brought to administrative responsibility under Art. 17.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus. Two minors from Vitebsk were identified for violating public order, which consisted of exposing naked body parts to passengers of a diesel train passing at km 519 of Luchesa station. Parents were brought to administrative responsibility under Part 1 of Art. 9.4 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus.

 In case of commission by a person of intentional actions that grossly violate public order and are expressed in clear disrespect for society, accompanied by the use of violence or threats of its use, or the destruction or damage of another's property, or are distinguished by exceptional cynicism in their content (hooliganism), Part 1 of Article 339 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus provides for responsibility in the form of public works, or a fine, or correctional labor for a term of up to 2 years, or arrest, or restriction of liberty for a term of up to 3 years. In case

committing hooliganism repeatedly, or by a group of persons, or related to resisting a person suppressing hooligan actions, or involving the infliction of less severe bodily harm (malicious hooliganism), the sanction of Part 2 of Article 339 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus provides for punishment in the form of arrest, or restriction of liberty for up to 3 years, or deprivation of liberty for a term of 1 to 6 years. In case of committing hooliganism or malicious hooliganism with the use of weapons, other items used as weapons for inflicting bodily harm, the use of explosive substances or explosive devices, or committed with a threat of their use, in the absence of signs of a more serious crime (especially malicious hooliganism), Part 3 of Article 339 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus provides for liability in the form of restriction of liberty for a term of 3 to 5 years or deprivation of liberty for a term of 3 to 10 years. Criminal liability of persons for committing criminal hooliganism, malicious hooliganism, especially malicious hooliganism occurs from the age of fourteen.

It should be noted that most hooliganism is committed while intoxicated, which, in turn, is a circumstance aggravating the person's responsibility. Everyone chooses their own path of behavior in life: some – lawful, and some – unlawful. In practice, there are cases where a previously law-abiding person, under the influence of certain circumstances, factors: be it alcohol intoxication, negative influence of third parties, or their own thoughtless actions – commits criminal hooliganism. Such persons should think about the question: is the price of punishment for a thoughtless act and drunken bravado too high?

 

Assistant of the Vitebsk Transport Prosecutor Yanchilenko E.V.