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The government wants people convicted of crimes to a greater extent to pay their legal costs, reports TV4 Nyheterna.
Last year, convicts paid an average of around SEK 5,000 for their public defender. The government wants convicts to pay roughly twice as much as today.
– That based on your financial ability, if you are convicted of the crime, you should also participate and take part of the responsibility in terms of costs, says Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M) to the television channel.
The Swedish Bar Association is critical of the proposal because it could have major consequences for those who cannot pay.
– If you are convicted and have to pay 70,000 kuna in court costs and cannot do it. Then you are not entitled to any installment plan. Then you simply end up with the Kronofogden. It can have major consequences, says lawyer Camilla Wikland to the TV channel.
The government will present the proposal to the Riksdag on Tuesday.