påtale

Påtale is a legal term used in several Nordic languages to denote the act by which a public prosecutor takes charge of a criminal case and initiates formal proceedings against a person suspected of a crime. It refers to the prosecutorial function and the process of bringing charges before a court.

In practice, a case typically begins with an investigation by police or other investigative authorities. After evidence is gathered, the public prosecutor or equivalent authority decides whether there is sufficient basis to prosecute. If the decision is to prosecute, a charging document or indictment is issued, and the case proceeds to court for trial. The prosecutor bears the burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, while the accused has the right to legal counsel, to present a defense, and to access evidence.

The scope and procedures of påtal are jurisdiction-specific. In Nordic systems, påtal encompasses the overall prosecutorial function managed through the public prosecutor’s office. Terminology may vary, with different labels used for charges or indictments in different jurisdictions. Despite linguistic differences, the core aim is to determine guilt or innocence within a defined legal framework and to safeguard due process.

See also: Prosecution, Indictment, Public prosecutor, Criminal procedure.