The government wants to significantly toughen penalties for young people who commit crimes. In a new bill submitted for review to the Council on Legislation, it is proposed, among other things, that the sentence discount for 15–17-year-olds be reduced, the maximum penalty for offenders under 18 be increased, and the age of criminal responsibility for serious crimes be lowered to 13 years.

Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M) stated that during 2025, 52 children under the age of 15 were involved in court proceedings concerning murder and murder plots.

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The bill includes a proposal to lower the age of criminal responsibility for particularly serious crimes to 13 years, for a five-year period. This applies to crimes with a minimum sentence of four years in prison, as well as attempts, preparations, and conspiracy to commit such crimes.

Gunnar Strömmer has argued that critics have so far not presented any credible solution for handling the sharp increase in serious violent crimes committed by children aged 13–15, such as murders and bombings. He believes the current system is inadequate and that extensive changes are needed to address the situation.

The proposal also means that a 15-year-old convicted of a crime would now receive a sentence corresponding to 40 percent of what an adult would have received, compared to the current level of about 20 percent.

For 16-year-olds, the proposed proportion is 60 percent (currently 25 percent), and for 17-year-olds, 80 percent (currently 30 percent). Courts will still be able to make individual assessments and adjust the sentences up or down.

“We must put a stop to gangs using children and young people,” says Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M) during the press conference.

The youth reduction for 18–20-year-olds, which has already been reduced previously, is now proposed to be abolished entirely.

“If you’re an adult and commit a crime, you should be punished as an adult,” says Camilla Brodin (KD).

At the same time, the government wants to raise the maximum penalty for persons under 18 from 14 to 18 years in prison.

Tidö parties’ tougher rules for young people who commit crimes

What this means in practice:

  • All over 18 are to be treated as adults. The youth reduction for 18–20-year-olds is abolished entirely.
  • Young adults will no longer be treated differently in court and cannot be sentenced to youth care after turning 18.
  • The youth reduction for 15–17-year-olds is significantly reduced:
    • 15 years: about 40% of the adult sentence (currently about 20%)
    • 16 years: about 60% of the adult sentence (currently about 25%)
    • 17 years: about 80% of the adult sentence (currently about 30%)

    The court can still make nuanced assessments.

  • The maximum penalty for persons under 18 increases from 14 to 18 years in prison.
  • Youth supervision is toughened and should be used in more cases:
    • Home arrest is extended by an additional evening and night per week.
    • Possibility of area bans as an addition to home arrest.
    • The Prison and Probation Service must exercise close supervision and stay informed about the convicted person.
    • Youth care can no longer be combined with community service or fines.
  • The age of criminal responsibility is lowered to 13 years for serious crimes such as murder, attempted murder, and aggravated rape:
    • Possible sanctions: youth care, community service, youth supervision, or youth imprisonment.
    • Large age-based reductions remain: 13 years – 90%, 14 years – 80%.
    • The reduction is time-limited to five years.
    • The prosecutor must press charges in cases involving crimes with a minimum sentence of at least four years in prison.
  • Closed youth care is abolished and replaced by youth prisons. Sentences for serious crimes committed before the age of 18 will be served in special child and youth units within the Prison and Probation Service.

Authorities oppose

The proposals have met criticism, including from the Prison and Probation Service, which argues that prison sentences for very young people can have negative consequences.

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In September, the Director General of the Prison and Probation Service, Martin Holmgren, appeared on SVT’s interview program 30 Minutes, where he clearly expressed his opposition to the Tidö government’s plans to lower the age of criminal responsibility and allow prison sentences for 13-year-olds who commit serious crimes.

“In my heart and soul, I don’t support it. A 13-year-old is typically so immature that he or she, if acting wrongly, should be cared for in another way,” Holmgren said on SVT.

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Watch the government’s press conference here: