misstänkt

Misstänkt is a Swedish term used to describe a person who is under investigation for a possible crime. Grammatically, misstänkt is an adjective meaning “suspected,” but it also functions as a noun when referring to a person who is under suspicion. In a legal context, a person becomes misstänkt when there are reasonable grounds to believe they may have committed an offense. This status is limited in time and does not imply guilt; it marks a phase in the pre-trial process.

The designation is used by police, prosecutors, courts, and media to denote investigative status. During the misstänkt phase, authorities may conduct investigative actions such as questioning, collecting evidence, and, under certain conditions, measures like temporary custody or arrest, always subject to legal safeguards. Any use of coercive measures must be justified and approved by a court.

Rights and safeguards are central to the concept. A person who is misstänkt has rights, including access to a lawyer, the right to be informed about the nature of the investigation, and the opportunity to participate in decisions affecting the case. The presumption of innocence remains a guiding principle; being misstänkt is not the same as being found guilty.

Transition points include moving from misstänkt to åtalad (charged) if the prosecutor assesses there is sufficient evidence for trial. If the evidence is insufficient, the investigation may be closed without charges. The term is commonly used in legal, media, and everyday language, and it helps distinguish investigative status from a verdict. Related terms include misstanke, förundersökning, tilltalad, and häktning.