Criminal
The 1940 General Penal Code with prosecution led by the DPP
Criminal law is based on the General Penal Code of 1940. Prosecutions are directed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, and serious cases are tried in the District Courts with possible appeal to Landsréttur.
Key rules
- The Director of Public Prosecutions heads the prosecution service.
- There is no jury; professional judges decide, sometimes with lay assessors.
- Custody pending trial requires a court order on specified grounds.
Governing law
- General Penal Code (1940)
- Code of Criminal Procedure
Penalties and consequences
- Fines and imprisonment; Iceland has comparatively low incarceration
In practice
Iceland's small scale means serious violent crime is rare, and the system emphasises rehabilitation and short sentences.