Book One: 4 General Provisions
Part One: Felonies and Misdemeanours Title One: Scope of Application
Title Three : Sentences and Measures
Chapter One : Sentences
Section Three: Determination of the Sentence
Art. 48
The court shall reduce the sentence if :
a. the offender acted :
1. for honourable motives,
2. while in serious distress,
3. while of the view that he was under serious threat,
4. at the behest of a person whom he was duty bound to obey or on whom he was dependent ;
b. the offender was seriously provoked by the conduct of the person suffering injury ;
c. the offender acted in a state of extreme emotion that was excusable in the circumstances or while under serious psychological stress ;
d. the offender has shown genuine remorse, and in particular has made reparation for the injury, damage or loss caused, insofar as this may reasonably be expected of him ;
e. the need for punishment has been substantially reduced due to the time that has elapsed since the offence and the offender has been of good conduct in this period.
Art. 48a
1 If the court chooses to reduce the sentence, it is not bound by the minimum penalty that the offence carries.
2 The court may impose a different form of penalty from that which the offence carries, but remains bound by the statutory maximum and minimum levels for that form of penalty.
1. In the event of a conviction, the Trial Chamber shall consider the appropriate sentence to be imposed and shall take into account the evidence presented and submissions made during the trial that are relevant to the sentence.
2. Except where article 65 applies and before the completion of the trial, the Trial Chamber may on its own motion and shall, at the request of the Prosecutor or the accused, hold a further hearing to hear any additional evidence or submissions relevant to the sentence, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
3. Where paragraph 2 applies, any representations under article 75 shall be heard during the further hearing referred to in paragraph 2 and, if necessary, during any additional hearing.
4. The sentence shall be pronounced in public and, wherever possible, in the presence of the accused.