STANDARDS FOR AWARDING THE BECCARIA AWARD

This Award represents the highest honor that the Justinian Society in cooperation with Criminal Justice Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association can give to any member of the Bar, whether or not a member of the either Section, who exemplifies the ideals of the career of Cesare Beccaria, the 18th century Italian scholar whose writings presaged the dawn of the modern penal system. The Award is to recognize distinguished achievement of a member of the Philadelphia Bar in the field of education in criminal justice, including legal and/or general education activities in the field.

Beccaria published a book in 1764 advocating a new and complete system of criminal law and procedure stressing swift trials, prompt, moderate and certain punishment, rehabilitation and the abolition of the death penalty. However, advocacy of these principle should not be the only criteria for the Award.

  1. It should be awarded to someone who has devoted time, energy and talent to educating and improving the standards of education in the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania area in the field of criminal justice.

  2. It should recognize significant accomplishments in improving educational principles in the criminal field.

  3. It should recognize significant accomplishments in achieving the goals of the Criminal Justice Section.

  4. It should recognize distinguished service consistently rendered over a considerable period of time or a single outstanding achievement in a particular year. (The fact that this single achievement may have occurred some years ago is not material so long as it has not been previously recognized).

  5. It should not be awarded merely for exemplary performance in a paid job relating to criminal education, but should represent service above and beyond compensated employment.

  6. The recipient should demonstrate legal educational efforts, development of new and innovative courses in criminal education, and should foster legal education and training in the field of criminal justice.