NCJ Number
59001
Journal
BRA (BROTTSFOREBYGGANDE RADET) - APROPE Issue: 4 Dated: (1978) Pages: 14-17
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A 1976-77 SURVEY OF 2,865 SWEDISH CITIZENS REVEALED THAT THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW (I.E., WHAT IS OR IS NOT LEGAL) IS GOOD, ALTHOUGH KNOWLEDGE OF CIVIL LAW IS WEAKER THAN KNOWLEDGE OF CRIMINAL LAW.
Abstract
THE SURVEY WAS PART OF A PROJECT BEGUN IN 1975 TO IDENTIFY AND ANALYZE THOSE FACTORS THAT HAVE MEANING FOR THE PUBLIC'S SENSE OF JUSTICE. THE SURVEY CONSISTED OF 59 QUESTIONS (ALTHOUGH A SHORTENED VERSION WAS ADMINISTERED TO 213 PERSONS) THAT PROBED KNOWLEDGE ON PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN ILLEGAL ACTS, MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM PENALTIES, GENERAL AREAS OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND ITS ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE, RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CREATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS, TYPES OF ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION AND WHEN THEY CAN BE USED, AGE OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND MORE. RESPONSES SOLICITED FROM PERSONS 18 TO 65-YEARS-OLD REVEALED THAT ALTHOUGH THE GENERAL KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT WAS AND WHAT WAS NOT LEGAL AND THEREFORE PUNISHABLE WAS GOOD, AWARENESS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THE SYSTEM OF PENALTIES, AND CONSUMER RIGHTS AND FRAUD WAS LACKING. MIDDLE-AGED MEN, BETTER-EDUCATED PERSONS, AND URBAN RESIDENTS WERE THE MOST KNOWLEDGABLE OF LAWS AND RIGHTS. ABOUT 4.3 PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS INDICATED THAT THEY SOMETIMES HAVE TO SEEK LEGAL ADVICE ON QUESTIONS OF THE LAW. A PARTIAL SAMPLE OF THE SURVEY QUESTIONS IS PROVIDED. --IN SWEDISH. (DAG)