刑法「當場激於義憤」定義爭議之探討

The Study of the Controversy over the Definition of ''the Scene by Righteous lndignation in Criminal Law''

我國司法實務對我國刑法第273條、第279條規定「當場激於義憤」之定義，「他人所實施之不義行為，在客觀上足以引起公憤，行為人猝然遇見該不義行為，一時憤激難忍，而當場對被害人實施特定行為」（參照最高法院106年度台上字第507號刑事判決等），但依據司法實務見解，法院似乎認為只有在行為人被侮辱，或是遭遇通姦或類似行為時才會成立「義憤」之情狀。
但是因為「當場激於義憤」而傷害或殺人，法定刑期比單純之傷害或殺人低了許多。因為義憤殺人或傷害可以減刑之理由，應當是認為行為人在特定情況下，因為情緒激動降低判斷能力，進而傷害或殺人之行為情有可原，並非惡性重大。而依一般常理判斷，除了實務見解認定之狀況外，本身或是親近他人長期遭受暴力脅迫(例如：家庭暴力)、惡意跟縱騷擾等等，都可能該當義憤之情狀。以其立法精神觀之，我國早期實務向將激於義憤侷限在被侮辱或遇到通姦(姦夫姦婦)或類似情形，這樣之實務運作並不合理，顯然過於限縮，應依實際個案狀況認定才是，確值得好好思考與檢討。
本此理念，本文主要探討目的為刑法第273條、第279條規定，「當場激於義憤」定義爭議之探討，在結構上分為如下幾個部分:首先說明本文之動機與構想，接著論述相關案例及刑法第273條、第279條規定主要規範內容，之後探討刑法第273條、第279條規定，「當場激於義憤」定義爭議之我國及外國(德國)司法實務見解，最後則針對「當場激於義憤」定義爭議提出個人見解，以作為本文之結論與建議。

In judicial practice, Articles 273 and 279 of the Criminal Law define ''the scene by righteous indignation '' as '' an unjust act committed by another person that objectively causes public outrage, and the perpetrator suddenly encounters the unjust act and becomes extremely angry, and then performs a specific act on the victim on the spot'' However, based on judicial practice, the court seems to believe that only when the perpetrator is insulted, or experiences adultery or similar behavior, will the situation of ''righteous anger'' be established. However, the statutory sentence for injuring or killing someone out of anger on the spot is much lower than that for simply injuring or killing someone. The reason for reducing the sentence for killing or injuring with righteous indignation should be that the perpetrator's behavior of injuring or killing due to emotional excitement and reduced judgment ability in specific circumstances is justifiable and not malicious.
According to common sense, in addition to situations recognized by practical opinions, long-term exposure to violence and coercion (such as domestic violence), malicious and harassing behavior, or close relationships with others, may all be considered as a state of righteous indignation. From the perspective of its legislative spirit, in the early practice of our country, anger was limited to being insulted or encountering adultery or similar situations. Such practical operation was unreasonable and obviously too restrictive. It should be determined based on the actual situation of each case, which is worthy of careful consideration and investigation. Based on this concept, the main purpose of this article is to explore the controversy surrounding the definition of ''the scene by righteous indignation'' under Articles 273 and 279 of the Criminal Law. The structure is divided into the following parts: first, explain the motivation and ideas of this article, then discuss relevant cases and the main normative content of Articles 273 and 279 of the Criminal Law, followed by exploring the judicial practices in China and foreign countries (Germany) regarding the controversy over the definition of ''the scene by righteous indignation'' under Articles 273 and 279 of the Criminal Law. Finally, provide personal opinions on the controversy over the definition of ''the scene by righteous indignation'' as the conclusion and recommendations of this article.