Jurisprudential–Legal Analysis of the Role of Mistake and Fault in Excluding Criminal Liability with Emphasis on Imami Jurisprudence and the Islamic Penal Code of Iran
Keywords:
Mistake, fault, criminal liability, Imami jurisprudence, Islamic Penal CodeAbstract
Criminal liability requires the attribution of criminal conduct to the offender and the existence of discernment, understanding, and free will on the part of the perpetrator. In this regard, mistake and ignorance may weaken or eliminate criminal liability by affecting the mental element (mens rea) of the offense. The present study aims to provide a jurisprudential and legal analysis of the role of mistake and fault in removing or mitigating criminal liability through an examination of the perspectives of Imami (Jaʿfari) jurisprudence and the provisions of the Islamic Penal Code of Iran. The research was conducted using a descriptive–analytical method based on library research. The findings indicate that in Imami jurisprudence, mistake is generally discussed within concepts such as ignorance (jahl), error (khataʾ), and negligence (tafrīt), and jurists distinguish between excusable ignorance and culpable ignorance. Only non-culpable ignorance can exclude criminal liability. Furthermore, in unintentional offenses, the establishment of fault is considered a condition for liability in certain cases, whereas in others, the mere occurrence of damage or destruction is sufficient to establish liability. Within Iranian criminal law, although the legislator has identified certain instances of fault in Note to Article 145 of the Islamic Penal Code (2013), no comprehensive rule has been provided regarding the role of fault across all unintentional crimes. The analysis demonstrates that the legislation has, in many respects, been influenced by the dominant opinions of Imami jurists; nevertheless, several ambiguities remain. Ultimately, the study emphasizes the necessity of developing clearer legal criteria for distinguishing between excusable and inexcusable mistake in order to prevent the imposition of punishment on individuals lacking genuine fault.
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