Normative justifications of EU criminal law: European public goods and transnational interests

Jacob Öberg*

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

EU policy-making in criminal law is a matter of significant public concern for EU citizens and the Member States. The exercise of EU public powers in the fields of criminal law and law enforcement have tangible and adverse consequences for the liberties and well-being of individuals. Furthermore, EU cooperation in the area of criminal law touches upon core functions of statehood including ‘core state powers’ such as the safeguarding of internal security and law enforcement. This raises several questions regarding the rationale underpinning EU criminal policy and its legitimacy within the context of a multi-level polity. This article sketches out a normative argument for legitimate justifications for some particular areas of EU criminal law on the basis of the transnational criterion enshrined in the subsidiarity principle. The article claims that there is a compelling justification for EU action in criminal law to protect European public goods and other key transnational interests.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean Law Journal
Volume27
Issue number4-6
Pages (from-to)408-425
Number of pages18
ISSN1351-5993
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2021

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