How It Ticks: The Swiss Culture, Business & Life Podcast Professor of Criminal Law: How Switzerland Punishes Crime Without Destroying Lives PT2
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May 6, 2025 Nora Markwalder, a former prosecutor and professor of criminal law at the University of St. Gallen, shares her extensive knowledge on Switzerland’s criminal justice system. She reveals how the system prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment, offering a pointed comparison with laws in France and the U.S. Nora also discusses the complexities of sentencing for foreign nationals, the juvenile justice framework, and the evolving trends in crime rates. Insights into Swiss prison life and the handling of international legal cases round out this enlightening conversation.
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Jurisdiction Trumps Nationality
- Swiss courts prosecute crimes committed on Swiss soil regardless of the offender's nationality.
- Foreigners face higher preventive detention risk due to flight concerns and extradition limits.
Sentencing Abroad Happens, But Rare
- Nora recalls it's possible but rare for offenders to serve sentences in their home country after Swiss courts convict them.
- She notes Switzerland commonly deports foreigners after their sentence to stop domestic taxpayer burden.
Sharp Cutoff At Eighteen
- Swiss juvenile law prioritizes education, therapy and reintegration over punishment for under-18s.
- The system enforces a sharp legal cutoff at 18 that dramatically increases possible prison sentences.