Study of Swedish Sentencing Practice (From Pafolijdsval, Strafmatning och straffvarde, P 219-234, 1980, M Nasberg, ed. - See NCJ-80645)

• NCJ Number: 80657
• Author(s): G Gronvall
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 16 pages
• Sale Source: Liber Distribution Foerlagsorder
• Country: Sweden

Annotation

Using National statistics gathered by the Swedish Justice Information System, this analysis traces trends in sentencing for these crimes: assault, assault on a public servant, robbery, drunken driving, narcotics crimes, theft, and grand larceny.

Abstract

Sentences for assault in the 1960's were based largely on circumstances surrounding the offense rather than on offense severity. However, legislation in 1965 prescribed stricter rules. While fines were used in 84 percent of assault cases from 1961-64, they were used in only 43 percent of cases in 1978. Imprisonment did not increase correspondingly with reduction in use of fines, however. Alternatives such as probation, supervision, or placement under psychiatric care were frequent sanctioning choices. Mitigating circumstances in postlegislation years appeared to be degree of injury imposed, degree of violence used, and victim provocation. Sentencing trends for crimes against civil servants show a gradual leniency, with both fines and imprisonment falling off since the 1960's, and probation and other alternatives increasing. In 1978, 17 percent of these offenders were put on probation or given other alternative sentences; 35 percent were fined, and 32 percent imprisoned. Average time served in prison for this crime in the 1970's was just over a month. Robbery has traditionally and continues to receive a prison sentence; offenders are frequently given minimum time. Drunken driving is another offense often punished with prison sentences (72 percent in 1978). Offenders usually serve slightly over a month for this crime. Sentences for drug crimes vary considerably depending on the type of drug involved (marijuana-related crime characteristically receives lighter sentences than opiate-related crime, for instance). Sentences for grave narcotics crimes (large amounts and harder drugs) receive harsher punishments than robbery or grave assault. Sentences for theft are getting milder (fewer offenders go the prison and those imprisoned serve less time). Grand larceny, however, together with drunken driving, grave drug crimes, grave assault, and robbery receive the harshest sentences. A notable development in the 1970's is the increased use of the 1-month sentence.