The criminal law framework and judicial sentencing of robbery and armed robbery

The research examines the manner in which perpetrators of the criminal offences of robbery and armed robbery are sanctioned under the provisions of the Macedonian Criminal Code. These offences protect property as their legal interest and are characterised by a combination of two elements: the appropriation of another person’s movable property and the use of force or threats in order to achieve that objective. The temporal scope of the research covers the period from 2017 to 2024 and aims to determine the types of sanctions imposed on perpetrators of the aforementioned offences, as well as whether the sentencing policy applied by the courts is consistent with the provisions of the Criminal Code. The findings indicate, in general terms, a relatively lenient sentencing policy of Macedonian courts towards perpetrators of robbery and armed robbery. In the majority of cases, convicted offenders were sentenced to terms of imprisonment below the statutory minimum. The research also reveals a significant use of alternative sanctions, particularly suspended sentences, as well as instances in which security measures were imposed without the simultaneous imposition of a criminal penalty. The study demonstrates a significant discrepancy between the sanctions prescribed by law and those effectively imposed by the courts. Accordingly, recommendations are proposed for adjusting judicial sentencing policy, taking into account the principles of legality and the individualisation of punishment. The research employs analytical and empirical methods and relies primarily on official statistics provided by the State Statistical Office.