NCJ Number
80997
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 51 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1982) Pages: 22-25
Date Published
1982
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The ways in which law enforcement authorities in Switzerland cooperate with requests for assistance from the United States are described.
Abstract
While the United States and Switzerland have cooperated for many years in criminal investigations, the Legal Assistance Treaty which became effective on January 23, 1977, has become a major tool in promoting cooperation. Two Swiss authorities, the Swiss Central Police Bureau and the Swiss Federal Office for Police Matters, deal with U.S. requests for assistance in criminal matters. U.S. investigators or prosecutors may either request police cooperation or submit a formal request for legal assistance. Swiss police officers can provide police cooperation which does not involve any compulsory process. They can perform such tasks as locating a person, interviewing voluntary witnesses, verifying alibis, and placing lookouts for stolen goods. If the U.S. authority requires a higher level of assistance, the Office of International Affairs in the U.S. Department of Justice must file a formal request under the Legal Assistance Treaty. Examples of higher level assistance are obtaining bank or business records, taking sworn testimony, requesting execution of search warrants, and requesting seizure of evidence. Since January 23, 1977, the United States has formally submitted 119 requests to Switzerland, of which 89 were executed, 3 were denied, 6 were withdrawn, and 21 were still pending as of May 1, 1981. Ninety of these requests involved various kinds of white-collar crime. Most requests involved business or banking records. Requests must follow various formal requirements and take from 3 to 9 months for a complete response. Legal assistance is furnished for acts which are considered criminal in both countries. Switzerland will not grant legal assistance for political crimes.