continuitetsbrott

Continuitetsbrott is a term used in Swedish criminal law to describe a form of offense where the prohibited conduct is ongoing and constitutes a single criminal act that spans a period of time, rather than a single isolated act. The hallmark is a continuous course of conduct that violates the law without a clearly defined interruption.

In practice, continuitetsbrott is often treated as one offense rather than multiple separate offenses arising from individual acts, although the sanction may reflect the duration and severity of the continuous conduct. The legal assessment centers on whether the conduct forms a continuous sequence and when that sequence ends. The offender’s intent and awareness of the wrongdoing are considered, but the decisive factor is the uninterrupted nature of the conduct.

Proof of continuitetsbrott requires showing the sustained period during which the prohibited behavior occurred and that there was no lawful break that would break the continuity. The concept is used for crimes where harm accumulates over time, such as persistent harassment, ongoing abuse, or prolonged illegal possession or exploitation.

Notes: The precise application and terminology can vary between jurisdictions and over time, and not all legal systems use the exact term “continuitetsbrott.” In some contexts, similar ideas are described as fortlöpande brott or continuous offenses. See also fortlöpande brott, repeated offense, time-bound crime.