To Örebro University

This chapter focuses on prosecutorial powers in the Swedish legal system but also points out different approaches adopted in the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, and Norway). It attempts to show how Nordic pragmatism has influenced legal solutions concerning the role and powers of the public prosecution service (PPS). It begins with basic information about the legal positions and structures of the PPS bodies in key Nordic countries. It then discusses a general trend in all Nordic countries of responding to overloaded criminal justice systems by entrusting prosecutors with broad sentencing powers. This transformation of the Nordic prosecutor raises serious issues, such as the proper roles and distinct perspectives of prosecutors and judges, the potential for self-interested prosecutorial decision making, and even the prospect of innocent suspects acquiescing to prosecutorial adjudication.