Criminological Aspects of Legal Consciousness of Peasants in the Western Region of Russia at the Turn of the 19<sup>th</sup> - 20<sup>th</sup> Centuries
The article examines the criminological aspects of legal consciousness of peasants in the Western region of Russia at the turn of the 19th - 20th centuries. The authors note that there is now a considerable interest in the legal issues of everyday rural life. The criminological aspects of peasants’ legal consciousness were manifested through a specific attitude of villagers to crimes and various offences. The fundamental basis of peasants’ legal consciousness was the so-called customary law. Besides, the mores and customs of peasants were inextricably connected with legal principles. They considered divine retribution to be inevitable, especially if there was no actual punishment in real life. Peasants’ legal consciousness had a dual character manifested in the differentiation between «ours» and «theirs». The specific understanding of legality was clearly seen in peasants’ views of forest resources. They believed that forests were common property and belonged to everybody, which contradicted formal laws. Vigilantism most conspicuously manifested criminological aspects of legal consciousness of peasants in the western region of Russia, and the widespread horse stealing and theft contributed to that. The conservative and archaic character of legal consciousness shaped the commitment of peasants to old ways and customs.