The Shaky Immutability of Principles

The article analyzes the processes of erosion of the principles of criminal justice in modern Russia. The author argues that the provisions enshrined in the Constitution and criminal procedure legislation as the foundations of justice – respect for human dignity, presumption of innocence, competitiveness, transparency, independence of the court – are increasingly ignored or transformed contrary to their original meaning. The reasons for the changes are considered: from objective changes in the nature of criminal cases to arbitrary initiatives of the legislator and law enforcement officer. Particular attention is paid to the danger of replacing the judicial form of dispute resolution with non-judicial mechanisms. The author concludes that it is necessary to return to the true meaning of the principles as a condition for effective, fair and legal legal proceedings.