Principles of Differentiated Criminal Procedure Governing Economic Crimes

Economic crimes, due to their complexity, organized nature, far-reaching effects on economic order and security, and the challenges associated with their detection and prosecution, require procedural mechanisms that differ from the general rules of criminal procedure. Accordingly, the present study aims to identify and explain the principles of differentiated criminal procedure governing economic crimes in the Iranian legal system and to analyze their underlying rationales and functions. In terms of purpose, this research is applied, while methodologically it adopts a descriptive-analytical approach.The findings reveal that although the Iranian legislator has not expressly established an independent category entitled "Principles of Differentiated Criminal Procedure Governing Economic Crimes," an analysis of the relevant special legislation makes it possible to identify a coherent set of distinctive principles that reflect a differentiated criminal policy in this field. The principal procedural principles include the Principle of Conditional Presumption of Innocence, under which statutory presumptions limit the application of the presumption of innocence in certain economic crimes; the Principle of Mandatory Crime Reporting, which strengthens the process of detecting and prosecuting economic crimes by imposing a legal obligation on designated individuals and public officials to report such offenses; the Principle of Mandatory Publication of the Identities of Convicted Offenders, which requires the publication of final criminal judgments in specified cases in order to enhance transparency, public confidence, and deterrence; the Principle of Centralization of Judicial Proceedings, which promotes consistency, coordination, and efficiency by conferring jurisdiction upon designated judicial authorities; and the Principle of Expedited Proceedings, which emphasizes the prompt conduct of investigations and judicial proceedings through special procedural mechanisms while avoiding unnecessary delays.