Swedish Legal Concepts and Court Terminology

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental Swedish legal concepts, judicial roles, and court proceedings based on the lecture review sheet.

Förundersökning

When the police and prosecutor investigate a crime and search for evidence.

Åklagare

A jurist whose task is to present evidence against the suspect to the court.

Husrannsakan

When the police search for evidence in the suspect's home.

Anhålla

To detain a suspect for an additional three days after the arrest.

Häkta

To keep a person deprived of liberty after the three days of custody (anhållandet); the prosecutor must apply for detention at the district court (tingsrätten).

Väcka åtal

When the prosecutor has sufficient evidence and proceeds to court, which determines whether the suspect is guilty or innocent.

Tingsrätt

A court where the first instance takes place.

Ordförande

The judge who presides over and leads the trial; is a trained jurist.

Nämndeman

A person who sits in a court and judges, but is not a trained jurist.

Notarie

Writes the record/protocol during a trial (a protocol consists of the notes taken at a meeting).

Tilltalad

The person who is suspected of having committed a crime.

Målsägande

The person who has been subjected to a crime (the injured party).

Vittnesed

An oath that a witness must take before the court, stating: "Jag X.X. lovar och försäkrar på heder och samvete att jag ska säga hela sanningen och intet förtiga, tillägga eller förändra".

Hovrätt

The next level of court; a court of second instance.

Påföljd

Punishment or sanction, such as imprisonment, conditional sentence (villkorlig dom), fines, supervision/probation (övervakning), and others.