Rikoslaki

Rikoslaki, or the Finnish Penal Code, is the central statute governing criminal law in Finland. It defines offenses and their punishments and provides the framework for criminal liability in Finnish courts. The rikoslaki applies to individuals and, in some cases, corporate liability, and is complemented by other statutes that address specific crimes (such as narcotics, traffic offenses, and financial crime) as well as by the criminal procedure framework and constitutional protections.

The code is divided into a general part and a special part. The general part sets out core principles of criminal liability, including intent and negligence, the concepts of actus reus and mens rea, attempts and participation, and defenses. It also covers rules related to age, capacity, and the verification of culpability. The special part lists offenses and related penalties, ranging from crimes against life and health (homicide and assault) to personal integrity, property and economic crimes (theft, robbery, fraud), sexual offenses, public order offenses, and crimes against the state and international obligations, among others. The law provides ranges of penalties, with imprisonment and fines as the main instruments; life imprisonment is available for the most serious offenses.

The rikoslaki operates alongside the criminal procedure regime, ensuring due process and proportionality of punishment. It has evolved through reforms to address new social conditions and forms of crime, including digital and cross-border offenses, while preserving fundamental rights and safeguards for defendants.