Legal
classification
The
Penal Code groups criminal offences into felonies (forbrytelser)
and misdemeanours (forseelser). The Criminal Law Commission,
set up to draft a new Penal Code, has proposed the distinction
between felonies and misdemeanours be eventually dropped
from criminal law.
Felonies
are, with some exceptions, offences with a maximum penalty
exceeding 3 months' imprisonment. The majority of felonies
are defined and listed in Part 2 of the Penal Code, such
as perjury, arson, racial discrimination, rape, defaulting
on obligation to support dependents, slander and libel,
larceny, embezzlement, damaging information and communication
systems, murder, blackmail and robbery, fraud and breach
of trust.
Misdemeanours are generally minor offences carrying a
maximum penalty of 3 months' imprisonment. Examples of
these types of offences are found in Part 3 of the Penal
Code. All breaches of the Road Traffic Act are defined
as misdemeanours irrespective of whether or not they carry
a maximum penalty of more than 3 months' imprisonment.
Age
of criminal responsibility.
The minimum age at which one can be held criminally liable
is 15.
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