politisigtet

A politisigtet is a person whom the police have formally charged with having committed a criminal offence. Under Danish law, the charge (sigtelse) is the procedural stage at which suspicion against a particular person has become sufficiently concrete that the police officially direct the investigation towards that individual. This typically occurs when there is a reasoned suspicion of an offence, but before any decision has been made on whether the case should proceed to the courts.

Being charged has significant due-process consequences for the suspect. From the moment a person is charged, a number of rights come into effect, including the right to a defence lawyer, the right to refuse to make a statement, and the right to be informed of the content of the charge. The person charged must also be advised of these rights. The police must state specifically which criminal act the charge concerns, including time, place and the nature of the offence.

A charge can lead to several different outcomes. The police may choose to discontinue the investigation if sufficient evidence is not found. Alternatively, the case may be forwarded to the prosecution service with a view to indictment, which is the next procedural step towards a possible trial. In some cases the charge may also result in a fine notice or other administrative sanctions without court proceedings.

The term politisigtet is often used in the media to distinguish between persons who have formally been charged and persons who are merely of interest to the police without a formal charge. It is important to emphasise that a charge does not constitute a conviction or a finding of guilt. The presumption of innocence applies in full until any judgment has been handed down by a court.

In cases with international or cross-border elements, the charge follows the same procedural principles as in purely domestic cases. However, there may be a need for international cooperation on extradition, securing of evidence or coordinated investigation when the person charged is abroad, or when the offence has taken place across national borders.