Letter to Editor

Neglect of Duty in a White Coat: The Reflections of Turkish Penal Code Article 257 in Health Law

Volume: 20 Number: 1 February 25, 2026
TR EN

Neglect of Duty in a White Coat: The Reflections of Turkish Penal Code Article 257 in Health Law

Abstract

This review evaluates the offense of abuse of office regulated under Article 257 of the Turkish Penal Code (TPC) in the specific context of healthcare professionals. As a specific offense restricted to public officials, Article 257 applies where, in the performance of official duties, a person (i) acts contrary to the requirements of the office (TPC Art. 257/1) or (ii) neglects or delays the fulfillment of those requirements (TPC Art. 257/2). Criminal liability arises when such conduct results in harm to individuals, damage to the public, or the provision of an unjust benefit to others. The review analyzes leading applications of this offense in the health sector through selected decisions of the Court of Cassation. Emphasis is placed on Article 257(2) abuse of office by omission, examining the requisite element of intent (mens rea), breaches of the duty of care and diligence, and the distinction between negligent and intentional conduct, as illuminated by case facts and expert/forensic reports. The analysis further delineates the boundary between penal law and disciplinary law, underscoring that certain forms of misconduct should be addressed solely as disciplinary offenses. Finally, the review identifies recurring classification conflicts between negligent offenses and Article 257 in cases involving harm caused by negligence or carelessness in medical interventions and notes the Court of Cassation’s settled jurisprudence on these issues. The review aims to guide legal practitioners in assessing the criminal liability of healthcare professionals and to inform investigators and disciplinary authorities in administrative proceedings.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Destekleyen kurum bulunmamaktadır.

References

  1. 1. Özbek VÖ, Doğan K, Bacaksız P, Meraklılı S, Başbüyük İ. Açıklamalı-Şemaik Ceza Hukuku Özel Hükümler. Ankara: Seçkin Yayınevi; 2022, s. 275-89
  2. 2. Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi [İnternet]. Türk Ceza Kanunu [alıntı tarihi Temmuz 2025]. şuradan edinilebilir: https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuat?MevzuatNo=5237 HYPERLINK
  3. "https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuat?MevzuatNo=5237&MevzuatTur=1&MevzuatTertip=5" HYPERLINK
  4. "https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuat?MevzuatNo=5237 HYPERLINK
  5. "https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuat?MevzuatNo=5237&MevzuatTur=1&MevzuatTertip=5"& HYPERLINK
  6. "https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuat?MevzuatNo=5237&MevzuatTur=1&MevzuatTertip=5"MevzuatTur=1 HYPERLINK
  7. "https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuat?MevzuatNo=5237&MevzuatTur=1&MevzuatTertip=5"& HYPERLINK
  8. "https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuat?MevzuatNo=5237&MevzuatTur=1&MevzuatTertip=5"MevzuatTertip=5" HYPERLINK

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Clinical Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Letter to Editor

Early Pub Date

February 25, 2026

Publication Date

February 25, 2026

Submission Date

August 20, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 10, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 20 Number: 1

APA
Asanoğlu, Ö. F. (2026). Neglect of Duty in a White Coat: The Reflections of Turkish Penal Code Article 257 in Health Law. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 20(1), 4-8. https://doi.org/10.21763/tjfmpc.1769383
AMA
1.Asanoğlu ÖF. Neglect of Duty in a White Coat: The Reflections of Turkish Penal Code Article 257 in Health Law. TJFMPC. 2026;20(1):4-8. doi:10.21763/tjfmpc.1769383
Chicago
Asanoğlu, Ömer Faruk. 2026. “Neglect of Duty in a White Coat: The Reflections of Turkish Penal Code Article 257 in Health Law”. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care 20 (1): 4-8. https://doi.org/10.21763/tjfmpc.1769383.
EndNote
Asanoğlu ÖF (March 1, 2026) Neglect of Duty in a White Coat: The Reflections of Turkish Penal Code Article 257 in Health Law. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care 20 1 4–8.
IEEE
[1]Ö. F. Asanoğlu, “Neglect of Duty in a White Coat: The Reflections of Turkish Penal Code Article 257 in Health Law”, TJFMPC, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 4–8, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.21763/tjfmpc.1769383.
ISNAD
Asanoğlu, Ömer Faruk. “Neglect of Duty in a White Coat: The Reflections of Turkish Penal Code Article 257 in Health Law”. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care 20/1 (March 1, 2026): 4-8. https://doi.org/10.21763/tjfmpc.1769383.
JAMA
1.Asanoğlu ÖF. Neglect of Duty in a White Coat: The Reflections of Turkish Penal Code Article 257 in Health Law. TJFMPC. 2026;20:4–8.
MLA
Asanoğlu, Ömer Faruk. “Neglect of Duty in a White Coat: The Reflections of Turkish Penal Code Article 257 in Health Law”. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, vol. 20, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 4-8, doi:10.21763/tjfmpc.1769383.
Vancouver
1.Ömer Faruk Asanoğlu. Neglect of Duty in a White Coat: The Reflections of Turkish Penal Code Article 257 in Health Law. TJFMPC. 2026 Mar. 1;20(1):4-8. doi:10.21763/tjfmpc.1769383

English or Turkish manuscripts from authors with new knowledge to contribute to understanding and improving health and primary care are welcome. 


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