NCJ Number
75791
Date Published
1981
Length
45 pages
Annotation
A survey of the Swedish criminal justice system is presented, focusing on changes in criminal law, case processing, and alternatives to institutionalization.
Abstract
A discussion of fundamental principles considers the passage of criminal law statutes, fundamental rights and freedoms, criminal procedure, and the prerogative of mercy. The Penal Code of 1962, the backbone of the Swedish criminal justice system, receives special attention: principles of criminal law, such as legality and analogical application, which are embodied in the code and code offenses and sanctions are discussed. In addition, offenses outside the code in the areas of traffic offenses, smuggling, narcotics, and revenue are reviewed. An overview of the functions and organization of the country's law enforcement agencies includes information on the Ministry of Justice and the police and on the roles of the prosecution, courts, prison and probation services, probation and parole boards, and the National Council for Crime prevention. Also considered are the Board for Compensation of Losses By Crime, the costs for criminal justice, and control of the criminal justice system. A history of the development of Swedish criminal law starts with the situation at the time of the French Revolution and advances through the adoption of the Penal Code of 1962. Among the topics under discussion regarding the new code are fines, imprisonment, conditional sentences, probation, borstal training, commitment for special care, military penal sanctions, and other alternatives to imprisonment. Special sections are devoted to the imposition of fines, the remission of prosecution, criminal cases in court, and petitions for pardon. A brief discussion of the impact of research on criminal policy rounds off the survey. Data tables and about eight references are included.