Social and Legal Studios
ISSN 2617-4162
e-ISSN 2617-4170
Publisher: Lviv State University of Internal Affairs
Abstract
The relevance of judicial discretion in the context of implementing state functions is determined by several key factors. This phenomenon enables the exercise of justice in a flexible manner, taking into account the specific circumstances of each case and the changing socio economic conditions, thereby ensuring a balance between the branches of power. It enhances the effectiveness of judicial protection of human rights, prevents a purely formal approach to the application of the law, and fosters public trust in the judiciary. This study aimed to explore judicial discretion as a socio-legal phenomenon, concerning the nature of state authority and the demands of contemporary legal regulation of social relations. To achieve this, a number of methodological approaches have been adopted. The hermeneutic method has been used to demonstrate how discretion is conceptually embedded in the socio-cultural context in which it arises and functions at various stages of state development. Through the socio-dynamic approach, internal and external contradictions of discretion have been identified, showing its role as an organic component of a given socio-cultural environment and its close link to the evolutionary dynamics of that environment. The use of deductive-logical analysis has demonstrated the interdependence between the functional potential of the state and the discretionary powers of judges. Among the principal findings of the study is the recognition of judicial discretion as an effective means of shaping public opinion and legal consciousness within society. This highlights the socio-legal dimension of the phenomenon and its potential to foster a proactive civil society and influence the development of state legal policy. Emphasis is placed on the reciprocal relationship between the discretionary powers of judges and public opinion. Judicial discretion is both a consequence of and a contributor to public perception and collective legal consciousness. As such, it can shape and shift societal attitudes, influence the level of public trust in state institutions, promote legal culture, and ultimately contribute to shaping domestic policy in the spheres of law enforcement and the protection of rights. The study holds practical significance as it outlines a theoretical framework – a kind of roadmap – for those exercising the discretionary powers of the state, as well as for all individuals affected by the implementation of discretion in decision-making by representatives of public authorities
Keywords: judicial conviction; civil society; discretion; public authorities; judicial powers; discretion; state functions
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