NCJ Number
156511
Date Published
1995
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This annual review of crime and criminal justice in Finland indicates that crimes against the Criminal Code represented 48 percent of all known crimes in 1993.
Abstract
Property crimes constituted the largest group of crimes against the Criminal Code (82 percent) and included theft offenses (52 percent), embezzlement and fraud (6 percent), and damage to property (11 percent). Drunk driving offenses accounted for 7 percent of all crimes against the Criminal Code, and 6 percent of crimes against the Criminal Code involved assault offenses. Between 1983 and 1993, the annual number of homicides varied between 107 and 155. In 1993, the police registered 129 cases of murder or manslaughter. Between 1983 and 1993, recorded thefts increased continuously, the 1993 rate being about 4 per 100 residents. Auto theft rates more than doubled between 1987 and 1991, embezzlement increased suddenly from 1990 to 1991, and fraud appeared to increase at a high rate between 1980 and 1990. Recorded cases of property damage continued to increase from the early 1980's to 1991, and recorded drunk driving increased by 42 percent between 1982 and 1991. The annual number of narcotic offenses varied between 369 in 1981 and 931 in 1991. The use of mediation in criminal cases in Finland is considered, as well as community sanctions, prison sentences, and fines.