Crime and punishment
If a person is believed to have committed a crime, the police will investigate the case. It is the public prosecutor who prosecutes the case. The courts decide whether a person is to be sentenced.
Brought before a judge within 24 hours
If you have been arrested for a crime, you have the right to be brought before a judge within 24 hours. The judge will decide whether a person is to be remanded in custody* while the police investigate the case.
As the accused in a criminal proceedings, you have the right to remain silent. And you have the right to legal counsel from a lawyer.
Fines, prison and other sanctions
There are two kinds of punishment: fines and prison. Youths under the age of 18 and the mentally ill can be sentenced to treatment.
Suspended and unsuspended sentences
Prison sentences can either be suspended or unsuspended. If a person receives a suspended sentence, they will only be sent to prison if they commit a new crime. Other conditions, however, may accompany a suspended sentence, such as the need for the convicted person to follow a course of treatment.
Life sentence is the severist punishment
A life sentence is the severist sentence the courts can hand down. Denmark does not have the death penalty.
Youths under 15
Youths under 15 can not be prosecuted. However, suspects under the age of 18 can be detained by the police. Even though youths under the age of 15 can not be prosecuted, the social authorities can decide to send them on certain courses or place them in a closed, 24-hour care centre.
Criminal record
An employer can ask to see a person's criminal record before deciding whether to employ them.
A criminal record is a document that states whether a person has been convicted, the nature of their crime and the sentence they have received.
If you require a criminal record, you can apply to the nearest police station.
Source: Citizen in Denmark.
Opdated January 9th, 2009.
