Criminal
An Austrian-model system with a public prosecutor and no jury
Criminal law and procedure follow the Austrian model, with a Criminal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure closely tracking Austrian law. The public prosecutor directs prosecution, an investigating judge conducts inquiries in serious cases, and professional judges try cases without a jury.
Key rules
- The public prosecutor (Staatsanwaltschaft) decides on and directs prosecution.
- An investigating judge conducts the inquiry and orders coercive measures in serious cases.
- Trials are decided by professional judges; there is no jury.
- Diversion measures can resolve minor cases without a conviction.
Governing law
- Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch, StGB)Austrian-model criminal law
- Code of Criminal Procedure (Strafprozessordnung, StPO)Austrian-model procedure
Penalties and consequences
- Fines and imprisonment
- Diversion measures avoiding a conviction for minor offences
In practice
The close reception of Austrian law means Austrian case law and commentary are influential in Liechtenstein criminal practice. Serious financial crime is a notable focus given the country's financial sector.