Swedish Prosecutors Strongly Oppose Government Proposal to Lower Criminal Responsibility Age to 13
Twenty-six Swedish prosecutors criticize the government's plan to lower the criminal responsibility age to 13, warning of legal chaos and harmful consequences.
- • Twenty-six prosecutors publicly oppose lowering the criminal responsibility age to 13.
- • The government exceeded the original recommendation of setting the age at 14.
- • Prosecutors describe the investigation supporting the proposal as substandard.
- • Concerns raised over arbitrary legal applications and serious consequences for the justice system.
Key details
A proposal by the Swedish government to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 13 for certain serious crimes has sparked intense criticism from prosecutors across the country. Twenty-six prosecutors have publicly condemned the initiative, describing the underlying government investigation as "substandard" and expressing grave concerns about the legal and social consequences of the policy.
Originally, the investigative report recommended lowering the age to 14, but the government decided to push even further by setting it at 13. Prosecutors warn that this could lead to arbitrary and inconsistent applications of the law. For instance, a 13-year-old could be prosecuted for transporting a bomb, yet not for committing multiple rapes, a disparity prosecutors label both "arbitrary" and "offensive" to victims and the public alike.
The prosecutors argue that detaining, prosecuting, and punishing children as young as 13 without a comprehensive understanding of the consequences sets a dangerous precedent. They state, "In clear terms, we are to start detaining, prosecuting, and punishing children without having assessed the consequences. We have never heard of anything like this."
These concerns extend beyond individual cases. The prosecutors warn that such a rapid and poorly considered legislative change could destabilize the entire legal system, undermining its credibility and predictability. Some prosecutors have even indicated that continuing to work within a legal framework altered by this reform might become untenable.
While the government can enact changes swiftly, prosecutors urge reconsideration, emphasizing that the long-term repercussions of this proposal could be severe and lasting.
The debate highlights the delicate balance Sweden faces between ensuring public safety and protecting the rights and development of its youth. As the discussion continues, the voices of legal practitioners warn of unintended consequences that could ripple through the justice system and society at large.