Convictions
How many judgments are convictions (guilty)? Which type of offence is the most frequent? How many convictions end with a custodial sentence? The statistics focus on sentences passed in cases of criminal, traffic and special acts offences.
Explainer on…
a criminal law decision made by a court of law or by the prosecution based on a charge for criminal or special acts offences. For road traffic offences, however, decisions can be made without a prior charge. The criminal law decision either leads to imposition of a sentence or acquittal under criminal law, the special acts or the administration of justice act.
Different types of criminal offences, such as residential burglaries, common assault or malicious damage to property.
Nature of the sentence passed. This can be an unconditional or a suspended prison sentence, a fine, discharge or dismissal of charge, withdrawal of a charge, sentence to treatment, acquittal etc. Overall, a distinction is made between two types of decisions: verdicts of guilty and verdicts of not guilty. Acquittal and withdrawal of a charge are verdicts of not guilty, whereas all other types of decisions are verdicts of guilty.
Selected statistics on Convictions
Development in the number of convictions
Since 1979, the Central Criminal Register - administered by the National Commissioner of the Danish Police.
Development in convictions broken down by type of offence
Since 1979, the Central Criminal Register - administered by the National Commissioner of the Danish Police.
Number of convictions broken down by sex and age
Since 1979, the Central Criminal Register - administered by the National Commissioner of the Danish Police.
Number of convictions broken down by selected types of decisions
Since 1979, the Central Criminal Register - administered by the National Commissioner of the Danish Police.
On the statistics – documentation, sources and method
See the documentation of statistics to learn more:
The purpose of the statistics is to analyse the number of convictions for criminal offences in connection with offences against the penal code, the road traffic act and other special laws. The statistics on convictions for criminal offences date back to 1832, but are in its present form comparable from 1980 and onwards.