Annotation

This article provides a retrospective analysis of the adoption, development, and evolution of the 1996 Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The author identifies three stages in the development of the current criminal law, characterizing them as trends toward liberalization, criminalization, and contemporary divergence. Particular attention is paid to the identified negative patterns: an excessive number of amendments, a lack of consistency, weak legal frameworks, and an imbalance in the penal system. The conclusion substantiates the need for further systematic modernization of the legislation based on criminological analysis.