HOW MANY YEARS IN PRISON IS THE CRIME OF ABUSING OTHERS PUNISHED?

Question: Mr. Nguyen Thanh K in Dong Hai district, Bac Lieu province asked how people who abuse others are handled according to the law, will they go to jail?

Answer

Pursuant to Article 140 of the Penal Code 2015, amended and supplemented in 2017, people who abuse others can be handled as follows:

“Article 140. Abuse

1. A person who maltreats or humiliates his/her dependent, except in the circumstances specified in Article 185 hereof, shall face a penalty of up to 03 years’ community sentence or 03 – 24 months’ imprisonment.

2. This offence committed in any of the following circumstances carries a penalty of 01 – 03 years’ imprisonment:

a) The victim is a person aged under 16, a woman whose pregnancy is known by the offender, an old and weak, sick or defenseless person;

b) The victim suffers from ≥ 31% mental and behavioral disability because of the offence;

c) The offence is committed against 02 or more people.”

Thus, a person who commits the crime of abusing another person may be punished with a maximum of 03 years imprisonment.