Chapter III: Of the Correction of the Delinquent

If the defendant, having been interrogated, confesses the delict, the Ordinary, in place of a criminal judgment, is to use judicial correction if there is place for it.

Judicial correction cannot have place:

1° In delicts which carry the penalty of excommunication reserved in a most special or special manner to the Apostolic See, or of privation of benefice, infamy, deposition, or degradation.

2° When there is question of rendering a declaratory sentence of a vindicative penalty or censure into which someone has fallen.

3° When the Ordinary considers that it is not sufficient for reparation of scandal and restitution of justice.

§ 1. There can be place for correction once and again, but not a third time against the same defendant.

§ 2. Wherefore if after the second correction the defendant commits the same delict, a criminal judgment must be instructed or one already begun must be continued according to the norm of can. 1954 and following.

Within the limits of can. 1947, 1948 correction can be used by the Ordinary not only before a step is made to formal judgment, but also after it has begun before conclusion in the cause; and then indeed the judgment is suspended, unless nevertheless it must be prosecuted because the correction has turned out in vain.

§ 1. Correction can also be used when a complaint of damage from the delict has been interposed.

§ 2. In this case the Ordinary can, from what is good and equitable and with the parties consenting, see and settle the question concerning damage.

§ 3. But if he has judged that the question concerning damage can be defined with difficulty from what is good and equitable, it is permitted to him, the solution of this question having been remitted to the judicial order, to consult by correction the reparation of scandal and the amendment of the delinquent.

§ 1. Judicial correction, besides salutary warnings, must generally have joined to it certain opportune remedies, or the prescription of penances or pious works, which can serve for the public reparation of injured justice or scandal.

§ 2. The salutary remedies, penances, and pious works to be prescribed to the defendant must be milder and lighter than those which in a criminal judgment could and should be inflicted upon him by a condemnatory sentence.

Correction is considered to have been employed uselessly if the defendant does not accept the remedies, penances, and pious works prescribed to him, or, having accepted them, does not execute them.