Denmark’s criminal justice reform, while touted as “historic,” faces criticism for potentially exacerbating already lengthy court waiting times and hindering victims’ healing process. The reform, presented by the government, aims to increase penalties for personal injury crimes. However, critics argue that it overlooks the crucial issue of protracted legal proceedings, which significantly impact victims and the overall sense of justice.

The Conservative party’s legal spokesperson, Mai Mercado, warns that the tougher sentences resulting from the reform will further burden the courts, leading to increased case backlogs and potential bottlenecks. She emphasizes the need for faster case processing to ensure accountability and justice. Mercado also points to previous unfulfilled promises regarding prison service improvements, raising concerns about the practical implementation of the current reform.

Helle Hald, a lawyer and spokesperson for Hjælp Voldsofre (Help Violence Victims), echoes these concerns, highlighting that the extended case processing time is a primary concern for victims. She argues that a swift resolution is often more important to victims than the length of the final prison sentence, as delays can impede their healing process. Hald laments the lack of specific funding allocated to support victims in moving forward.

Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard acknowledges the importance of an effective criminal justice system and states that reducing case processing times is a key goal. He mentions a previous agreement aimed at improving the courts’ finances and reducing waiting times. Hummelgaard defends the criminal reform as a necessary step to strengthen justice, security, and trust in society, while also providing better support for prison officers. He adds that funding has been allocated to address the potential consequences of the tougher penalties on other authorities, including the courts, and expects the initiatives from the 2021 criminal service agreement to be implemented soon.