CRIMINAL SANCTIONS AS A FORM OF CRIMINAL LIABILITY IMPLEMENTATION

Criminal sanctions are an essential part of the implementation of criminal liability, as they not only enable the punishment of offenders but also promote their resocialization and help prevent recidivism. In Lithuania and other European countries, increasing attention is being given to alternative sanctions that help reduce prison overcrowding and ensure a fairer and more effective implementation of criminal responsibility. Research conducted by both Lithuanian and foreign authors reveals that criminal measures constitute a significant component of criminal liability. However, their practical application still faces challenges, which highlights the need not only for further academic analysis but also for institutional changes that would promote their effective and individualized use. Academic literature discusses various forms of implementing criminal liability and criminal measures, yet there is a lack of comprehensive research and analysis on their application in courts and their effectiveness in reducing crime. Moreover, there is a shortage of comparative studies that reveal other countries’ experiences and potential ways to improve the use of criminal measures. The aim of this article is to analyse the application of criminal sanctions in the implementation of criminal liability in Lithuania and to carry out a comparative analysis with other European countries. The methods applied include the analysis of scientific literature, legal acts, and court practice case studies. The research revealed that courts increasingly apply criminal sanctions independently, even in cases where no criminal penalty is imposed. However, there are still instances where these sanctions are applied in a formal manner, without proper reasoning or an assessment of proportionality, which limits their real impact. Effective implementation requires systematic judicial assessment, institutional cooperation, and practical enforcement tools.