Sweden: Difference between revisions
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*As of 2009 there were 7,286 prisoners in Swedish prisons: 24.7 percent were pre-trial detainees. | *As of 2009 there were 7,286 prisoners in Swedish prisons: 24.7 percent were pre-trial detainees. | ||
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{{Languages|Sweden}} | {{Languages|Sweden}} | ||
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Revision as of 15:20, 21 February 2011
ADDITIONAL RESOURCESLEGAL TRAINING RESOURCE CENTER |
Background
A constitutional monarchy, Sweden is one of Europe's largest countries by land mass although it also has one of the lowest population densities. The vast majority of the citizens (85 percent) live in urban areas. The Swedish Parliament, Riksdag, choses the Prime Minister. The king no longer wields significant power and is a figurehead of the state. Sweden is a member of the European Union and incorporated the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms.
Type of System
Sweden has a civil law system with laws promulgated by the Swedish Parliament. Sweden's criminal courts have three levels: The Supreme Court of Sweden (Högsta Domstolen), 6 courts of appeals (hovrätter)and 53 district courts (tingsrätter). The Supreme Court of Sweden has 16 Councillors of Justice. There is no stare decisis in Sweden. Therefore lower courts are not obligated to follow the decisions of the Supreme Court.
Sources of Defendants' Rights
The Constitution of Sweden prohibits capital punishment, [1], corporal punishment [2], and "torture or medical influence aimed at extorting or suppressing statements."ref> Constitution of Sweden, Art. 5</ref>. Searches and seizures are restricted under Article 6 of the Constitution of Sweden.
Defendants' Rights
Pre-Trial
Trial
Post-Conviction
See Criminal Justice Systems Around the World
QUICK FACTS
- As of 2009 there were 7,286 prisoners in Swedish prisons: 24.7 percent were pre-trial detainees.
Notes
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