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Biuletyn Stowarzyszenia Absolwentów i Przyjaciół Wydziału Prawa Katolickiego Uniwersytetu Lubelskiego

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Warren Jeffs Trial: A Religious Leader’s Criminal Liability for Complicity in Sexual Offenses

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32084/bsawp.9386  [Google Scholar]
Published: 2025-03-05

Abstract

The aim of this article is to present the criminal case of Warren Jeffs, which was a case of criminal liability of a religious leader for sexual crimes committed within the community he managed. Jeffs’ case highlights the complex ethical and legal issues related to the abuse of spiritual power, in particular how psychological coercion in a religious community can lead to sexual violence and what problems this raises in the field of criminal liability. Although the Polish academic debate has shown increasing interest in the protection of individuals within religious structures, the case of Warren Jeffs remains absent from discussions. This article does not aim to provide a detailed legal analysis but rather seeks to highlight key issues at the intersection of criminal law, religious freedom, and the protection of vulnerable individuals in closed religious communities. It may serve as a stimulus for further research on the need for regulation and the effectiveness of existing legal mechanisms in preventing such abuses.

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