The Swedish government has announced plans to lower the age of criminal responsibility, allowing 13-year-olds to be sentenced to prison for the most serious criminal offenses, including murder, aggravated explosions, aggravated weapons offenses, and aggravated rape.
The proposed legislation, which is expected to enter into force in July, would initially apply for a five-year trial period, Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer said during a press conference on Monday, as reported by the Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter.
Under the proposal, a 13-year-old convicted of murder could face between one and three years in prison, while a 14-year-old could receive a sentence of three to four years, with courts retaining discretion in individual cases.
“We are not talking about a general lowering, but a lowering limited to the most serious crimes,” Strömmer said, adding that attempts, preparation, and incitement related to such offenses would also fall under the law.
Different Treatment for Less Serious Crimes
Less serious offenses, such as transporting a weapon, would generally result in youth supervision rather than imprisonment, according to the proposal.
The government is also planning tougher measures for older juveniles. Specifically, sentence reductions for offenders aged 15–17 would be reduced, while the maximum prison sentence for this age group would increase from 14 to 18 years. Life imprisonment would remain unavailable for minors.
“This is about protecting society,” Strömmer emphasized.
Criticism and Institutional Concerns
The plans have drawn criticism from the Swedish Prison and Probation Service, the police, and the Prosecution Authority, all of which have warned of potential risks, including challenges related to detention capacity, rehabilitation, and long-term societal impact.
Strömmer said the government carefully assessed these concerns but concluded that inaction would pose even greater risks, particularly amid rising levels of youth involvement in organized and violent crime.
Other Countries with Similar Laws
Sweden’s proposal would place it among several countries that already apply lower ages of criminal responsibility, particularly for serious crimes:
- United Kingdom (England and Wales) – criminal responsibility begins at 10 years old, one of the lowest thresholds in Europe.
- Scotland – raised the age of criminal responsibility to 12, with prosecution possible under specific circumstances.
- Netherlands – allows juveniles aged 12–17 to be tried under adult criminal law in exceptional cases.
- France – criminal responsibility applies from 13, with special juvenile sentencing rules.
- Germany – criminal responsibility starts at 14, but courts may apply juvenile or adult law to offenders up to 21.
These models are often cited in debates balancing public safety, deterrence, and child rehabilitation.
A Broader Shift in Criminal Policy
The Swedish government’s proposal reflects a broader European trend toward tougher responses to serious youth crime, driven by concerns over gang violence, weapons offenses, and organized criminal networks increasingly recruiting minors.
The legislation will now move through parliamentary review, where it is expected to face intense political and public debate ahead of a final vote.
