连坐制度的现代价值及其限度

The Modern Value and Limitation of the System of Lianzuo

连坐是指一人违法相关人员连带承担责任的制度。中国古代刑事司法中大量存在连坐的制度设置和实践,而当代中国的连坐制度主要存在于非刑事法律领域。连坐制度从诞生之始就饱受争议,但由于其在预防和治理违法犯罪上成效显著,故历来被人重视,直到今天其仍然活跃在社会治理的舞台上。然而,连坐毕竟是一种前现代的制度,其对被连坐者的处罚不是基于其言行上的过错,而是由于其与相关违法犯罪人存在特殊的关系,故连坐制度是缺乏道德和伦理基础的,其与从身份到契约的历史发展趋势背道而驰,与现代自由民主的精神不符,与高扬人的主体性、重视意志自由、强调“过错与责任相一致”“罪责自负”的现代法治精神相冲突,也不利于全面充分地保障人权。因此,对连坐必须严加控制,将其限制在合理的范围之内:连坐只能是在其他治理方式均无效情形下的一种权宜之计;连坐适用的范围应严格限定在非刑事法律领域;连坐必须以相关人存在过错或获益为前提;连坐应当以相关人对行为人的违法犯罪行为知情为条件;连坐的法律后果不宜过重。

Lianzuo refers to the system that relevent persons are jointly and severally liable if one person violates the law.In ancient China,there were a lot of system settings and practices of Lianzuo in criminal justice,while in contemporary China,it mainly exists in civil,economic,administrative and other non criminal legal fields.Lianzuo system has been controversial since its birth,but because of its remarkable effect in preventing and controlling crimes,it has always been favored by the rulers and has lasted for a long time.Until today,it is still active in the stage of social governance.But after all,Lianzuo is a pre modern system.The accountability of Lianzuo is not based on its words and deeds,but on its specific relationship with relevant criminals.Therefore,Lianzuo system lacks moral and ethical basis.It runs counter to the historical development trend from identity to contract,does not conform to the spirit of modern freedom and democracy,and it is not conducive to the comprehensive and full protection of human rights.Therefore,we must strictly control the Lianzuo system and limit it to a reasonable range:Lianzuo can only be an expedient measure when other governance methods are invalid;the scope of application should be strictly limited in the field of non criminal law;the punishment of the person to be joined must be based on his fault or benefit;Lianzuo shall be conditional on the relevant person’s knowledge of the perpetrator’s illegal and criminal acts;the legal consequences of Lianzuo should not be too heavy.