Finland’s legal experts are divided about whether or not to introduce reduced sentences for those who confess to certain crimes. Anna-Maja Henriksson, Finland’s justice minister, told the YLE news agency that lawmakers are preparing to introduce new legislation early next year that would offer substantial sentence reductions for defendants who confess to drug and white-collar offenses.
Henriksson said that the move could help speed up the country’s legal system and reduce costs. Many experts say they would back the move, although others are still sceptical.
Criminal law professor Terttu Utriainen from the University of Lapland told YLE, “It would speed up specifically investigations into major economic crimes. I see this as sensible for society, for the accused and all those involved.”
In contrast, however, some say that it the measure would raise ethical questions about equality in the court system.
“The same kind of crime should always carry the same kind of punishment. This is the fundamental starting point,” said University of Helsinki professor Heikki Pihlajamäki, who heads the school’s Comparative Legal History department.
Likewise, Kimmo Nuotio, a professor of criminal law, said that the proposed legislation would likely mean that sentences are largely dependent on the negotiating skills of prosecutors and defence lawyers: “The importance of competence and fair play will gain even greater importance. It cannot be totally certain that all those conditions are met.”