DESCRIPTION OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES, WHICHEXCLUDE THE PARTICIPATIONOF WITNESSES IN THE CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS

Abstract

This article describes the circumstances, which exclude the participation of witnesses in the criminal proceedings. It describes, in particular, the peculiarities, features and problems related to involving people as witnesses in the criminal pro- ceedings according to the current norms envisaged bythe Criminal-Procedural Code of Ukraine. The issue of "disinterestedness" of certain categories of persons, who are planned to be involved in the criminal proceedings, is also considered. The defi- nition of the term "close relatives and family members", as one of the circumstances excluding the participation of people as witnesses in the criminal proceedings, is done. Besides, the personal characteristics (evaluation) of persons, which influence the admissibility of their participation as witnesses in the criminal proceedings, are considered. Particular attention is paid to the issue of prohibition of the participa- tion of the close relatives of the suspects, accused persons and victims in the crimi- nal proceedings.

The article substantiates and describes the changes and amendments to the current Criminal Procedural Code of Ukraine forwarded to the legislator in order to improve the process of involving people as witnesses in the criminal proceedings.