In SVT’s program Veckan, defense lawyer Kristofer Stahre and prosecutor Lisa Dos Santos were guests, to discuss the government’s new reforms around crime fighting. During the conversation, they were both asked why they think so differently, and whether it benefits their professional practice.
– Kristofer Stahre de facto earns quite a lot of money defending these people, that’s how it is, said prosecutor Lisa dos Santos.
The subsequent reply from Stahre has surprised many. The star lawyer points out that it is rather the police who make money from crime.
– When it comes to money, one can only state that police officers have received increased starting salaries of 47.9 percent in the last ten years. If there is anyone who profits from crime in society, it is the police through their high increased salaries, says Stahre.
“I do a very good job”
But you make some money representing criminals too, don’t you? Asks the presenter Camilla Kvarntoft.
– Exactly, and I do a very good job, and obviously no one else does.
The police: “Strong guts”
The play has been spread on, among other things, the platform X, where several in the police force have become angry. Among other things, the police officer Viktor Adolphson, “YB Södermalm”, writes that it is “totally shameless”.
Peter Larsson, who works as an intervention police in Gothenburg, agrees.
– I think it is gut-wrenching to claim that we police officers profit from crime. We have been grossly wrongly paid for several years. The fact that we are now starting to get more right at the level of the starting salaries is completely reasonable, says Peter Larsson to TV4 Nyheterna.
“Not bad for his law firm right away”
Peter Larsson admits that the police force has had a high percentage salary increase in recent years.
– But if you make a comparison between our professions regarding who makes money from crime, it is not the police. And things aren’t going badly for his law firm right away. I don’t want to bash lawyers, they do incredibly important work, but I think the statement was gut-wrenching.
Star lawyer Kristofer Stahre’s company, Stahre Persson Advokatbyrå AB, had a turnover of over SEK 23 million last year.
– We had 21,300 kroner in starting salary ten years ago, now 31,000. It is completely inexplicable to me to say as he did. No sense and no balance, says police officer Peter Larsson.
The lawyer answers
When TV4 Nyheterna reaches lawyer Kristofer Stahre, he says that he maintains his opinion, and points to the cost of the police in the big picture.
– It is at the macro level that this question is interesting to discuss. There, I can only state that the police cost 80 percent more in ten years, while legal assistants have increased by 60 percent in the corresponding period, says Stahre.
– I am adamant that we cost the least and increase the least, if you compare it to other parts of the legal chain.
Stahre does not want to answer what he himself earned last year.
– No, I have no reason to comment on that.