Youth crime is increasing and becoming more serious. But it can take up to six months before young offenders are punished, according to the Oslo District Court. A fast-track court for offenders between the ages of 15 and 18 has been launched as an important initiative, with Oslo District Court among others as promoters. The children’s ombudsman has also called for money for a trial project with a fast-track court. The fast-track court must ensure that young people receive a sentence more quickly, and that the sentence is also carried out more quickly after the sentence has become final. In the autumn, the government set up a working group to investigate the establishment of a fast-track court in Oslo. On 2 May, the group submitted its final report to the Ministry of Justice. Now the price tag is also clear: the expedited court will cost 28 million. The Ministry of Justice has not wanted to give the report itself to news. The price tag has nevertheless been confirmed in the answer to a budget question that the Conservative Party has asked the Ministry of Finance. The money will, among other things, go to several dedicated employees in the court, the police, the conflict council and the correctional service. The Conservative Party is calling for action – The only thing standing in the way of getting this in place this year is the government, says Sveinung Stensland, justice policy spokesperson for the Conservative Party. Now he is calling for the Støre government to come to the Storting with a bill on fast-track courts. The government has been ordered to do so by the Storting. news has requested an interview with Minister of Justice Emilie Mehl (Sp). She replies by e-mail that the bill will come soon: Minister of Justice Emilie Enger Mehl (Sp) Photo: Trond Lydersen / news – The government has passed important changes to toughen juvenile penalties, is investigating a bill on fast track and will come up with a bill before the summer, writes Mehl. Stensland believes that the investigation the government is now carrying out is unnecessary and calls for progress. The Conservative Party has also set aside the money in its own alternative budget. It shows how the party would spend money if it were up to the party. – We have put forward all the necessary legislative proposals, and now the 28 million it costs is also coming, says Stensland. – 15-16-17-year-olds, why do you go after them? – If you are old enough to commit a criminal act, you must also know the consequences. Young people must receive a quick and tangible response when they do something wrong. Today that is not the case, says Stensland. He and the Conservative Party want to have fast-track courts in several places in the country, but start with one in Oslo. Wanted to adopt a fast-track court last year Before Christmas, the Conservative Party, Liberal Party and FRP wanted to adopt the necessary legislative changes to start up a fast-track court. SV also wanted the speedy start-up of the fast-track court and had set aside money for it in its alternative budget for 2024. The government would investigate the necessary changes to the law first. SV chose to support the government. But the government was also required to introduce the legislative changes this spring in two parliamentary resolutions that the Labor Party and the Center Party supported. There, the Storting asks the government to “bring forward legislative amendments during the spring of 2024” – If people had voted for our proposals, the fast-track court could already be in place during the summer, says Stensland. Mehl points out that she and the government have already adopted changes to the juvenile punishment and juvenile follow-up which are intended to sharpen the reactions and carry out the punishment more quickly. Among other things, the requirement for consent from the young person to impose a youth sentence has been removed. Strengthening the police Stensland and the Conservative Party say that the money for the fast-track court should not be taken from other parts of the police or the court. The Conservatives warn that in their alternative budget they will exceed the government’s investment in the police. Emilie Mehl writes: – The government gives the police a high priority with an investment of NOK 1.6 billion in the revised national budget, and we have been in close contact with the Norwegian Police Directorate to assess what needs the police have had. We feel that the large grant has been well received by the police, says Mehl. Published 14.06.2024, at 07.39
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Fast-track court for criminal youth will cost 28 million – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
