The enforcement of judicial decisions is a pivotal aspect of the criminal
justice system. The institution of an astrent is recognized as a legal mechanism
designed to motivate a debtor to comply with a judicial decision, thereby serving
as a deterrent to non-compliance and as a reinforcement of the rule of law. This
coercive tool, by imposing negative material consequences, is intended to ensure
adherence to a verdict, which is essential for maintaining public trust in the justice
system – a core criminological concern. Given the varying legal nature of the
astrent across different jurisdictions, this study examines its potential introduction
into Ukrainian law from a criminological perspective, analyzing its deterrent
capacity within the framework of criminal justice enforcement. The research
outlines the similarities and distinctions between the astrent and other punitive
measures, delving into its effectiveness as a defense method and its role in
bolstering the execution of judgments. It highlights specific dispute categories
within the criminal justice system where the astrent could significantly enhance
compliance. Critical to the adaptation of this European legal construct to
Ukrainian legislation, the paper scrutinizes several foundational issues that
necessitate resolution. Notably, the paper discusses the termination of the right to
an astrent post-imposition, suggesting that the objective impossibility of fulfilling
a judicial act – owing to circumstances emerging after the court's decision and
leading to the obligation's termination as per Article 607 of the Civil Code –
should be the sole ground for relieving a debtor from the astrent payment. The
study's alignment with criminological interests lies in its potential to shape debtor
behavior, augment the effectiveness of legal sanctions, and provide empirical
evidence for policy-making in the realm of crime management and enforcement
legislation. The implications for both national and international criminological
scholarship are considered, with the article contributing to the ongoing discourse on the optimization of punitive measures within the justice system and their
theoretical underpinnings.