The contribution gives a short survey of the bases of material penal law, being in force in Slovenia from 1930 till the beginning of the second world war. Penal material law is a part of penal law, with which the state defines penal acts, sentences and other measures against persons who committed a crime, as well as conditions for their implementation. It contains therefore protection of the most fundamental state interests. Expertise of this law branch is therefore of essential significance for understanding a society, for archivists, however, a basis for professional work mostly on the record groups of law courts and offices of public prosecutors.