Syyteet

Syyteet is the Finnish term for formal criminal charges brought by a prosecutor against a suspected offender and presented to a court as part of the criminal procedure. They initiate the trial process and define the scope of what the court will consider.

The word derives from syyte, meaning charge or indictment, with the plural suffix -et. In everyday use, syytteet refer to the written accusations that outline what a person is alleged to have done and which legal provisions are invoked.

In Finland, charges are typically filed after a preliminary investigation by police or other authorities. The prosecutor decides whether to bring charges and, if so, submits a syyte to the district court (käräjäoikeus). A single syyte can concern one offense or multiple offenses and may involve one or more defendants. The syyte may be amended or narrowed during the proceedings.

A syyte describes the alleged facts, references the relevant sections of the criminal code, and states the penalties or sanctions sought. It serves as the procedural backbone of the case, guiding what the court will examine and what proof is required.

Once a syyte is filed, the case proceeds to trial, where the defendant is afforded the right to defense. The prosecution bears the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, while the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The court may convict and impose a sentence or acquit; charges may be dismissed or altered if warranted, and outcomes may be subject to appeal in higher courts.