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Juvenile law in Spanga, Sweden covers the legal rules and procedures that apply to children and young people - typically those under 18 years of age. The system focuses on protection, welfare and rehabilitation rather than punishment. Key actors include the local social services, the police and prosecution, the courts and state agencies such as the national board for institutional care. In Stockholm city Spanga falls under the Stockholm municipal social services for child welfare matters and the Stockholm police for criminal matters. Swedish law also incorporates the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child - the Barnkonvention - which guides decisions about children.
The most common legal instruments you will encounter are the Social Services Act - socialtjänstlagen - which governs ordinary child protection and support measures, and the Care of Young Persons Act - LVU - which provides for compulsory care in serious cases. For criminal matters there are special procedures for suspects under 18, and family law - including parental responsibility and custody - is regulated in the Parental Code - föräldrabalken.
You may need a lawyer in juvenile law in many different situations. If social services start an investigation into your child, or propose compulsory care under LVU, a lawyer can explain your legal rights and help you challenge or negotiate measures. If a young person is suspected of a crime, a lawyer can protect procedural rights at police interviews, assist in criminal proceedings and work to secure sentences and measures focused on rehabilitation. In disputes about custody, visitation, guardianship or adoption a lawyer helps with court petitions, evidence and appeals.
Other reasons to seek legal help include appeals of administrative decisions, representation in hearings before the administrative court, obtaining legal aid, and securing an interpreter or appointed guardian for an unaccompanied minor. A lawyer with juvenile law experience can also coordinate with social services, health care and schools to make sure the child´s best interests are served.
Age and criminal responsibility - Children under 15 are not criminally responsible in Sweden. Those aged 15-17 can be prosecuted, but the justice system uses juvenile-adapted procedures and aims for measures that emphasize education and rehabilitation rather than punishment.
Social Services Act - Socialtjänstlagen sets out the responsibilities of municipal social services to investigate and provide support when a child’s development or welfare is at risk. This law governs voluntary measures such as family support, treatment and placement in foster care.
LVU - The Care of Young Persons Act - LVU - allows for involuntary placement or care when a child is grossly neglected or at serious risk due to the home environment, substance abuse or criminal exposure. Decisions to place a child under LVU are taken by social services but require judicial review and are handled by the administrative court.
Barnkonvention - Sweden has incorporated the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into national law. This means the child´s best interests must be a primary consideration in all decisions affecting them and children have rights to participate according to their age and maturity.
Föräldrabalken - Family law rules on parental responsibility, custody and visitation are important in disputes between parents. The law aims to protect the child´s welfare and secure stable living arrangements.
SiS and secure care - The National Board of Institutional Care - SiS - operates secure youth homes and other compulsory placements ordered under LVU or as a special sanction. The focus in such institutions is often on treatment and education.
Procedural rights - Children and young people have rights to legal counsel, to have a guardian or parent present during questioning, to interpretation if needed, and to confidentiality in many social service contexts. Administrative decisions come with appeal rights and time limits that you must observe.
In general a person under 18 is treated as a child for many welfare and family law purposes. Criminal responsibility starts at age 15 - those under 15 are not prosecuted for crimes, while 15-17 year olds may be subject to juvenile criminal procedures.
Yes - in serious cases social services can apply for compulsory care under LVU if they judge the child to be at serious risk. The decision must be reviewed by an administrative court. Even when care is voluntary, social services can propose placements if they believe it is in the child´s best interest.
If a child is questioned by police they should have a guardian or parent present, and the child has the right to a lawyer. Police and prosecutors take age into account and aim to use measures that support rehabilitation. For serious offences the case may proceed to court where juvenile procedures apply.
Custodial prison sentences are rare for young people. For 15-17 year olds the courts often use alternative sanctions or care measures with a rehabilitative focus. In the most serious cases a young person may receive a youth sentence that involves placement in special institutions run by the national board for institutional care.
Legal aid is available for those who meet financial eligibility tests. For children and guardians in welfare or criminal cases there are often possibilities to get public counsel appointed. Contact a lawyer or the municipal social services to learn about eligibility and how to apply.
Yes - LVU decisions are taken by social services and must be confirmed by an administrative court. You can appeal to the administrative court and then to higher administrative courts within set time limits. A lawyer can help prepare appeals and provide representation at hearings.
Social services and health services cooperate for children who need psychiatric or addiction treatment. There are voluntary measures under social services and medical care through child and adolescent psychiatry - BUP. In acute risk situations social services can apply for compulsory care under LVU.
Social services handle sensitive information confidentially, but certain professionals have a duty to report to social services if they suspect a child is at risk. In court cases or when a decision is appealed some information will be shared with involved parties and the court, but there are legal protections for privacy.
Look for lawyers who list family law, child protection or juvenile criminal law among their specializations. You can ask the municipal social services for recommendations, contact the Swedish Bar Association to check credentials, or ask local legal aid offices about specialists in juvenile matters.
Stay calm and take notes of what is said. Ask for written information about the meeting or decision. You have the right to legal counsel and to have a guardian or parent present. Contact a lawyer promptly - if you cannot afford one, ask about public counsel or legal aid. Keep copies of any documents and record dates and names of officials involved.
Local social services in Spanga - the Stockholm municipal social services handle child welfare investigations and can explain available support and measures.
Local police - the Stockholm police handle criminal matters involving minors and can inform you about procedures and rights during questioning.
Administrative courts - decisions under LVU and other administrative child welfare matters are reviewed by the administrative court system.
SiS - the national board for institutional care administers secure and compulsory placements for young people when ordered by courts.
Barnombudsmannen - the Swedish Children´s Ombudsman promotes children´s rights and provides general guidance about children´s rights under the Barnkonvention.
BRIS - a non-governmental organization offering support for children and adolescents in distress and information for caregivers about rights and support options.
BUP - child and adolescent psychiatry provides assessment and treatment of mental health conditions for children and adolescents.
Advokatsamfundet - the Swedish Bar Association can help you check a lawyer´s credentials and find a specialist.
Legal aid services - municipal legal aid offices and public counsel systems can help if you lack resources to hire a private lawyer.
Victim support - victim support organizations and the local crime victim support service can help families affected by youth crime whether the child is a suspect or a victim.
If you need legal assistance in juvenile law follow these practical steps. First, document everything - dates, names, what was said and any written notices. Second, contact the appropriate local authority - social services if the issue concerns welfare or compulsory care, or the police if it concerns criminal matters. Third, seek legal advice as soon as possible - contact a lawyer who has experience with juvenile cases or ask about public counsel and legal aid if you cannot afford private representation.
Fourth, request written decisions and information about appeal deadlines - administrative and criminal procedures have strict time limits. Fifth, if language is a barrier ask for an interpreter and a guardian for the child if needed. Sixth, involve other professionals who can support the child - health services, school staff and child psychiatry where relevant.
Finally, remember the focus of Swedish juvenile law is the child´s best interests and rehabilitation. A lawyer can help you navigate the system, protect procedural rights and work toward solutions that prioritize the child´s safety and future. This guide offers general information and is not a substitute for professional legal advice tailored to your specific situation.
