Re: A2 Trade/Swap ... site ...

[Roy and/or Janet Miller <millers@inetnebr.com>]

Paul Schlyter wrote:

>

> So you're saing that if I cross the street against a red light, and if
> you witnessed that, it would give you the right to wrestle me to the
> ground and then lock me up ????????????????????????????????????

No.

>
>
> Someone else responded to you, and was disagreeing a lot.  From his
> description, you don't have the right to do more as a private citizen
> than we do in Sweden, if you become a witness to a crime.

I wouldn't know about that.

>
> > Even the police however, can't fine you. Only the court
> > can do that, and only after a guilty verdict.
>
> Even for very small crimes, like e.g. walking against a red light?

Yes, though in this country usually the police have more important things to do.

>
>
> Here in Sweden, the police have the right to fine you directly for
> some specific kinds of "small" crimes.

Not here. It's called separation of powers. The police are part of the executive
branch, (even in most municipalities), and the courts are the judicial, and only
the judicial has that power.

> You shouldn't give the
> money directly to the policeman though, but instead pay to some
> specific account.  If you wish you can disagree of being fined by
> the police though -- then the case goes on to the court.

Here we can plead guilty, either in court or (depending on the transgression) by
mailing in our citation with a check to cover the fine and court costs.

> This
> system was introduced here a few decades ago, to lessen the burden
> of the courts (earlier some court would have to spend at least 10-15
> minutes on each case of illegal parking, etc).

I recently had to go to court  - a friend of my son had let our dogs out of the
house and we were cited for dogs loose. I could have sent in the citation with the
fine, but I wanted to see if the extenuating circumstances would work in our
favor... they didn't. Oh well. It didn't cost me anymore to "have my day in
court." One funny thing though, I called my wife as a witness, and after the judge
rendered the verdict I was instructed to pay her the witness fee of $20 unless she
waived it. She was nice and let it go. :-)

Roy