FEATURES OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF VICTIMS OF CRIMINAL OFFENCES COMMITTED BY PROFESSIONAL PARTICIPANTS OF THE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS

Abstract

The article highlights the importance of the victim in criminal proceedings 
concerning crimes against justice committed by professional participants in the 
judicial process, particularly as an object of encroachment and a source of 
evidence. It justifies the necessity of gathering comprehensive information about 
the victim as a crucial condition for ensuring a thorough, objective, and 
unexpected investigation. Based on an analysis of data from the Unified State 
Register of Court Decisions, typical socio-demographic features of victims are 
identified, with adult Ukrainian citizens who engage in public activities or have 
prior criminal records being most common. The article proposes categorizing 
victims into two main groups: unprotected persons and individuals of 
investigative or operational interest. A refined interpretation of each category is 
provided, considering their characteristics and potential influence on the progress 
of criminal proceedings. It emphasizes that such an approach to studying the 
victim's personal circumstances enhances understanding of the causes and 
conditions behind crimes against justice, leading to more effective evidence 
collection.