Crime and prosecution

Hey! You do know that what you are doing is a crime, right? - No it’s not. Crimes are like, murder and stuff. No, everything that breaks the law is a crime. There are violent crimes, like murder or assault, but also non-violent crimes like burglary and shoplifting. - Yeah, and? - Well, crimes have consequences.

If the crime is discovered, the crime can be reported to the police. When we say that there are around one and a half million crimes committed in Sweden each year, we mean the crimes that are reported. If a crime is underway, one can call the emergency number 112 and ask for the police. On this number, you can also call for an ambulance or the fire department… … if they’re needed. If the crime has already occurred and it isn't an emergency, one can call 114 14 instead to make a police report.

If the police need more information about the crime, they can start a preliminary investigation. The police then collect information about the crime. They can talk to the victim, and to witnesses. This is also when the police begins to collect evidence, to check security cameras for instance. If the police suspects someone, then that person will be interrogated.

The person is summoned to the interrogation by text, letter, or by phone. If the suspect is a minor, meaning they are under 18, the police calls social services, If the suspect is under the age of 15, the social services must be present during the interrogation. If the suspect is a minor, they can also have a parent present. If the police now think they have enough reason to believe that a suspect has committed a crime, they contact a prosecutor. If needed, the prosecutor takes charge of the preliminary investigation.

The prosecutor can then decide to arrest that person. To be under arrest means to be locked up which can be for up to 72 hours. During this time, the prosecutor has to make a decision. Is there enough evidence to prove this person has committed the crime? The prosecutor can also decide that the police can go into the suspect's home, can search the premises, where they can look for evidence.

If they’re suspected to have committed the kind of crime that can lead to a prison sentence of a year or more, then they can be held for up to 14 days. This is called detention. There needs to be special reasons for detention, such as there being a risk of them destroying evidence, or fleeing the country. Only a court is allowed to detain people. Being detained is very similar to being arrested, except that suspicion is slightly stronger that the person has committed the crime.

If it is more probable, it's usual to say that there is probable cause. If the prosecutor feels that there is enough evidence they can prosecute, which is to say that the case goes to trial. And that could result in the suspect being sentenced to a punishment. - Um… so I’ll put this back then… - Yes, I think that’s a good idea.