NCJ Number
81511
Date Published
1981
Length
103 pages
Annotation
Trends in criminal convictions in Switzerland from 1974 to 1979 are outlined.
Abstract
The course of convictions over the period can be plotted as a wavy line which peaks in 1975, in 1977 at a lower level than in 1975, and in 1979 at a higher level than in 1975. The total increase in convictions over the period is 5.5 percent, most of it in the last year. Convictions are most common for traffic offenses (46 percent of the convictions) and criminal offenses (37.5 percent of the convictions). The number of criminal offenses increased 13.2 percent over the 6-year period. The changing role of women in society is reflected in the high rate of increase of female convictions (15 percent as compared to 2 percent for men). More than half the individuals convicted are less than 30 years old. While 95 percent of the drug convictions were for individuals under 30 years old, the average age of drug offenders has risen. The percentage of foreigners convicted is about the same as the percentage of Swiss. An increase in fines and conditional sentences indicates that increases are mainly in the area of petty crime. The greatest rise in criminal offenses was for robbery (20 percent annually). Conviction for violations of drug laws rose rapidly over the period (23.5 percent) and penalties were more severe than previously. Extensive data tables show convictions of adults for major offenses according to the criminal code, the military code, other codes, and lenient treatment as well as for all criminal offenses with absolute numbers for criminal offenses under all laws. Also covered are convictions of juveniles according to all Federal laws and the Federal criminal code.