Offenses and Punishment
It is considered legitimate and likely to be effective against crime to punish those who break the law. According to the law, the severity of the penalty should reflect the seriousness of the offense.
Violator
If a person believes that a crime has been committed against him or someone else, he must report the matter to the police as soon as possible, either at the nearest police station or by phone 112.
The police shall be obliged, as appropriate, to give the victim guidance on his/her rights and explain the continuation of the case. Once a case has been appealed, it is a complicated and often time consuming process.
If a person needs the assistance of a lawyer to protect his or her rights, the Icelandic Bar Association may be consulted.
The victim may be entitled to compensation for damage, personal injury or misconduct.
Legal violations
The judiciary is police and prosecuting authority on the one hand and the courts on the other.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, the District Prosecutor and the Chiefs of Police, with the exception of the National Commissioner of Police, shall exercise prosecution powers in all respects.
Investigations of public cases are conducted by the police. If it emerges from the investigation that a punishable offence has been committed, the alleged offender is served with an indictment, if the prosecutor considers the case sufficient or likely to be a conviction.
If there is reason to suspect that a person has violated the law, the police may demand custody, which is a temporary deprivation of liberty. This, however, is subject to strict legal requirements.
The State against which the defendant/the plaintiff is bringing the action. The defendant is always entitled to defend himself in a criminal case. Civil actions are actions brought by natural persons, companies or institutions against other natural or legal persons.
The Directorate of Public Prosecutions maintains the State Criminal Registry, which contains certain information on the closure of public/criminal cases.
A person aged 18 or older may apply for his criminal record certificate electronically on Iceland.is, in writing from magistrates or the office of the chief of police in each district. Youths aged 15 to 18 must obtain the consent of a guardian in order to obtain their criminal record.
There are three levels of judicial review. The District Courts, eight counts, the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.
If there is any doubt about the defendant's competence due to mental and/or physical illness, experts are appointed to assess the condition of the person in question.
Children and young persons under the age of 15 are not punished for violations. The offence is dealt with as a child protection case.
Once judgment has been delivered in the district court, it may be appealed to the Court of Appeals for a review of the judgment. In special cases and after obtaining the permission of the Supreme Court, the conclusions of the Court of Appeals may be referred to the Supreme Court.
Fines, judgments and other remedies
Mediation involves that the offender and the victim reach a settlement following the crime, without a case being brought before a court of law.
If a young person aged 15 to 21 commits an offence, the conditional deferment of the charge is a remedy that can be applied.
According to the Icelandic constitution, the President of Iceland may pardon persons and grant amnesty.
Those who are pardoned, sentenced to probation or charged with deferred are under the supervision of the State Prison Administration or those to whom it assigns supervision for a certain period.
The State Prison and Probation Administration shall call upon the convicted to serve a sentence and administer the execution of sentences.
There are five state prisons.
An offender who has been declared unfit due to mental illness but is considered necessary to be in possession of persons is staying at the Faculty of Justice at Sogn.
Youths aged 15 to 18 are usually sentenced to a suitable institution of care in consultation with the National Agency for Children and Families.
A person sentenced to suspended sentence may apply for parole when he has already served a certain part of a sentence.
Service provider
Prison and Probation Administration