Final answer:
Beccaria listed eight principles for a just and effective criminal justice system: legality, proportionality, humanity, presumption of innocence, necessity, preventive measures, swift justice, and proper criminal procedure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Beccaria listed eight principles that he believed would make the criminal justice system both just and effective:
- Legality: This principle states that there must be a clear and definite law that defines what is a crime and what is the appropriate punishment for it.
- Proportionality: This principle suggests that the severity of the punishment should correspond to the seriousness of the crime committed. It opposes excessive and cruel punishments.
- Humanity: Beccaria argued that punishments should not involve torture or degrading treatment. He believed that the goal of punishment should be to reform the offender, not to harm them.
- Presumption of Innocence: This principle states that a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof lies with the prosecution.
- Necessity: Punishment should be necessary to deter future crimes and protect society.
- Preventive Measures: Beccaria believed that it is better to prevent crimes through effective policing and social reforms rather than just relying on punishment.
- Swift Justice: This principle emphasizes the importance of timely and efficient resolution of criminal cases to avoid unnecessary delays and prolonged incarcerations.
- Proper Criminal Procedure: Beccaria argued that defendants should have the right to a fair trial, access to legal representation, and protection against arbitrary actions by the authorities.