How It Ticks: The Swiss Culture, Business & Life Podcast Professor of Criminal Law: How Switzerland Punishes Crime Without Destroying Lives PT1
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May 5, 2025 Nora Markwalder, a former prosecutor and professor of criminal law at the University of St. Gallen, dives deep into how Switzerland handles crime. She explains how the Swiss system favors rehabilitation over punishment and what sets it apart from countries like the U.S. and France. From unique monetary penalties to life in Swiss prisons, Nora shares insights on the challenges of reintegration for former inmates and the rights of victims. The discussion also touches on the complexities of navigating language barriers in Swiss courtrooms.
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Early Influence From Forensic Family
- Nora grew up around forensic medicine because her father worked as a coroner and this sparked her interest in criminal law.
- She combined law studies with criminology and pursued a career mixing prosecution and academic research.
Prosecutors Lead Neutral Investigations
- Swiss prosecutors lead investigations with a neutral mandate to establish the truth rather than just to convict.
- Many minor cases are resolved by prosecutors through summary penalty orders and never reach a judge.
Acquittal On Doubt And Role Shift
- Swiss courts follow the principle that in case of doubt the defendant must be acquitted.
- When a prosecutor brings a case to court their role shifts from neutral investigator to an adversarial party seeking conviction.