Difference between revisions of "Switzerland"
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==Background== | ==Background== | ||
| − | Switzerland is a small, mountainous country | + | Claiming inception in 1291, Switzerland is a small, mountainous country, speaking four official national languages (French, German, Italian and Romansh) and soon reaching 8.5 million inhabitants. Switzerland is traditionally neutral and is known for its prosperity and stability. As a result, it is not a member of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or NATO. Switzerland maintains a federal system with 26 cantons, the capital city is Berne and the major cities are generally recognised as Geneva (for the United Nations), Lausanne (with headquarters of various sports organisations and tribunals), Zurich (as the economic center and main banking hub) and Basel (for the chemical industry). Although small differences exist in Cantonal procedure, most codes are now unified at a federal (country-wide) level, including the Penal Code, and the admission to any Cantonal bar now grants access to the courts of the entire country. Modern day Switzerland generally traces its roots back to 1848, with the drafting of the Swiss Federal Constitution. |
==Type of System== | ==Type of System== | ||
==Sources of Defendants' Rights== | ==Sources of Defendants' Rights== | ||
| + | Defendants' rights may be found in traditional sources such as the Swiss Constitution, the Swiss Criminal Procedure Code and the Swiss Penal Code. Switzerland is a neutral body and has not signed all UN treaties and [[International Law|International Law Instruments]]. | ||
==Defendants' Rights== | ==Defendants' Rights== | ||
| − | + | Switzerland is not only a signatory to the Convention Against Torture<ref>[[Media:cat_signatories.pdf | See CAT signatures here.]]</ref>, it also prohibits "torture and any other form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" under its Constitution<ref>Swiss Constitution, Art. 10(3)</ref> | |
Under the Constitution, Switzerland offers the accused the "right to free legal advice and assistance unless their case appears to have no prospect of success"<ref>Swiss Constitution, Art. 29(3)</ref>. The accused may also be permitted free legal representation in court.<ref>Swiss Constitution, Art. 29(3)</ref>. This right has been interpreted broadly as extending to non-criminal cases. | Under the Constitution, Switzerland offers the accused the "right to free legal advice and assistance unless their case appears to have no prospect of success"<ref>Swiss Constitution, Art. 29(3)</ref>. The accused may also be permitted free legal representation in court.<ref>Swiss Constitution, Art. 29(3)</ref>. This right has been interpreted broadly as extending to non-criminal cases. | ||
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| − | The Swiss Constitution provides the right to notice of charges in a language the accused can understand when defendants are detained by police<ref>Swiss Constitution, Art. 31(2)</ref>.Under Article 158 of the Swiss Code of Criminal Procedure the results of an interrogation are | + | The Swiss Constitution provides the right to notice of charges in a language the accused can understand when defendants are detained by police<ref>Swiss Constitution, Art. 31(2)</ref>.Under Article 158 of the Swiss Code of Criminal Procedure the results of an interrogation are inadmissible unless the defendant has been given a warning similar to the Miranda warning that is used in the [[United States]]: |
*he/she is the subject of a criminal investigation for some specific infractions, | *he/she is the subject of a criminal investigation for some specific infractions, | ||
*he/she has the right to remain silent and to not cooperate with police, | *he/she has the right to remain silent and to not cooperate with police, | ||
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===Trial=== | ===Trial=== | ||
| − | The accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty | + | The accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty<ref>Swiss Constitution, Art.32</ref> and cases must be finished within a "reasonable" amount of time.<ref>Swiss Constitution, Art.29(1). Both parties have the right to be heard in court<Ref>Swiss COnstitution, Art. 29(2)</ref>. |
===Post-Conviction=== | ===Post-Conviction=== | ||
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==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
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{{Languages|Switzerland}} | {{Languages|Switzerland}} | ||
__NOTOC__ | __NOTOC__ | ||
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| + | References: | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
Latest revision as of 12:05, 6 September 2017
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English • español • français |
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Background
Claiming inception in 1291, Switzerland is a small, mountainous country, speaking four official national languages (French, German, Italian and Romansh) and soon reaching 8.5 million inhabitants. Switzerland is traditionally neutral and is known for its prosperity and stability. As a result, it is not a member of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or NATO. Switzerland maintains a federal system with 26 cantons, the capital city is Berne and the major cities are generally recognised as Geneva (for the United Nations), Lausanne (with headquarters of various sports organisations and tribunals), Zurich (as the economic center and main banking hub) and Basel (for the chemical industry). Although small differences exist in Cantonal procedure, most codes are now unified at a federal (country-wide) level, including the Penal Code, and the admission to any Cantonal bar now grants access to the courts of the entire country. Modern day Switzerland generally traces its roots back to 1848, with the drafting of the Swiss Federal Constitution.
Type of System
Sources of Defendants' Rights
Defendants' rights may be found in traditional sources such as the Swiss Constitution, the Swiss Criminal Procedure Code and the Swiss Penal Code. Switzerland is a neutral body and has not signed all UN treaties and International Law Instruments.
Defendants' Rights
Switzerland is not only a signatory to the Convention Against Torture[1], it also prohibits "torture and any other form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" under its Constitution[2]
Under the Constitution, Switzerland offers the accused the "right to free legal advice and assistance unless their case appears to have no prospect of success"[3]. The accused may also be permitted free legal representation in court.[4]. This right has been interpreted broadly as extending to non-criminal cases.
Pre-Trial
The Swiss Constitution provides the right to notice of charges in a language the accused can understand when defendants are detained by police[5].Under Article 158 of the Swiss Code of Criminal Procedure the results of an interrogation are inadmissible unless the defendant has been given a warning similar to the Miranda warning that is used in the United States:
- he/she is the subject of a criminal investigation for some specific infractions,
- he/she has the right to remain silent and to not cooperate with police,
- he/she has the right to legal representation by a private or state-funded attorney, and
- he/she has the right to request the services of an interpreter.[6]
Defendants may also have the right to notify a next-of-kin of their detention.[7]
Trial
The accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty[8] and cases must be finished within a "reasonable" amount of time.[9].
Post-Conviction
Capital punishment was abolished in 1942.[10]. After conviction, the defendant has the right to mandatory review by a higher court.[11]
See Criminal Justice Systems Around the World
QUICK FACTS
- 2010 Prison Population: 6,181
Notes
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English • español • français |
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References:
- ↑ See CAT signatures here.
- ↑ Swiss Constitution, Art. 10(3)
- ↑ Swiss Constitution, Art. 29(3)
- ↑ Swiss Constitution, Art. 29(3)
- ↑ Swiss Constitution, Art. 31(2)
- ↑ Swiss Code of Criminal Procedure, Art. 158
- ↑ Swiss Constitution, Art. 31(2))
- ↑ Swiss Constitution, Art.32
- ↑ Swiss Constitution, Art.29(1). Both parties have the right to be heard in court<Ref>Swiss COnstitution, Art. 29(2)
- ↑ Swiss Constitution, Art. 10(1)
- ↑ Swiss Constitution, Art. 32(3)
