• Korean Journal of Forensic Psychology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.323-341
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• 2021

This study examined public perceptions of the reasons underlying sentence reduction for defendants convicted of sex crimes against persons with intellectual disability. An online survey was conducted among 522 adults in South Korea. Respondent endorsement of 20 reasons underlying sentence reduction, which were embedded within the respective rulings, and the perceived appropriateness of statutory sentence for the crimes committed were assessed. The results showed that most respondents endorsed the sentence; moreover, those who disagreed underscored the need for more severe punishment. Almost all the respondents perceived the following reasons and explanations unfavorably: impulsiveness caused by sexual arousal or alcohol consumption; an accidental occurrence; and personal characteristics such as defendant age, health condition, socioeconomic status, developmental history, and family background. However, there was a relative agreement in that the damage caused by the incident was relatively minor, or the defendant's reflection and attitude to recover the damage were used as reasons for the reduction. Differences in respondent perceptions of the reasons underlying sentence reduction as a function of gender and educational background were relatively small. However, younger respondents held harsher attitudes toward sentence reduction. The present findings underscore the need to be mindful of victims' statements and the characteristics of persons with intellectual disability while sentencing.

• Proceedings of the Korea Contents Association Conference
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• 2014.11a
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• pp.239-240
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• 2014

2014년 9월 29일부터 아동학대 가해자에게 무기징역까지 처벌을 강화하고, 친권 제한도 가능케 한 '아동학대범죄의 처벌 등에 관한 특례법(아동학대처벌법)'이 시행되고 있다. 동법의 내용으로는 기존 형법상 '3년 이상의 유기징역'에 집행유예가 가능한 학대치사죄에 대해 법정형을 '무기 또는 5년 이상의 징역'으로 높이고 별도의 감경사유가 없는 한 집행유예가 불가능하도록 했다. 아동학대 가해자가 친권자라는 이유로 피해아동을 격리시키기 힘들었던 점을 개선하기 위해 친권을 제한할 수 있는 길을 터놓았다. 부모(친권자)가 중상해를 입히거나 상습적으로 학대한 경우엔 검사가 법원에 친권상실을 청구해야 하며, 검사가 하지 않으면 아동보호전문기관의 장이 청구를 요청할 수 있도록 했다. 본고에서는 아동학대의 실태를 기초로 하여, 아동학대처벌법의 내용과 문제점을 살펴보기로 한다.

• The Journal of Bigdata
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2023

This research aimed to examine the public's perception of the "rate of sentence reduction for reasons of mental and physical weakness" and investigate if it aligns with the actual practice. Various sources, such as the Supreme Court's Courtnet search system, the number of mental evaluation requests, and the number of articles and comments related to "mental weakness" on Naver News were utilized for the analysis. The findings indicate that the public has a negative opinion on reducing sentences due to mental and physical weakness, and they are dissatisfied with the vagueness of the standards. However, this study also confirms that the court strictly applies the reduction of responsibility for individuals with mental disabilities specified in Article 10 of the Criminal Act based on the analysis of actual judgments and the number of requests for psychiatric evaluation. In other words, even though the recognition of perpetrators' mental disorders is declining, the public does not seem to recognize this trend. This creates a negative impact on the public's trust in state institutions. Therefore, law enforcement agencies, such as the police and prosecutors, need to enforce the law according to clear standards to gain public trust. The judiciary also needs to make a firm decision on commuting sentences for mentally and physically infirm individuals and inform the public of the outcomes of its application.