The narrative of responsibility in criminal law frequently incorporates the concept of “blameworthiness”. It seems that it is often assumed that blameworthiness is a crucial component, and sometimes even a necessary condition, for society to hold someone criminally responsible for what he or she did (caused, etc.). However, the concept is used without its being subject to a thorough discussion or even provided with a clear definition. Indeed, there appear to be a wide range of uses, ranging from superficial assessments to (attempts at) profound characterisations, from evaluations solely of the action to those of the individual’s character, and from measuring against rigid, impersonal standards to considering the individual’s unique traits. The focus in this chapter is “blameworthiness” and the primary objectives are, first, to do some mapping of the landscape of how the concept gets used in relation to criminal law. Second, to discuss how the concept should (and should not) be used if it is to have a useful role.

Hur ska straffrättsordningen handskas med den generellt sett vanliga situationen att det planerade brottet inte riktigt går som planerat? Claes Lernestedt och Marie Kagrell skriver om ett nytt HD-avgörande som tar upp en mycket mindre, strikt avgränsad, variant av temat. Vad händer med anstiftarens ansvar när gärningspersonen misstar sig om offrets identitet – och vilken betydelse har prejudikatet i praktiken?  

Mötet mellan sjukvård i vid bemärkelse och straffrätt kan vara komplicerat, bland annat när straffrättens generella måttstockar ska appliceras på vad som gjorts inom ramen för sjukvården. Claes Lernestedt behandlar prövningen av det omdiskuterade Macchiarini-målet i första instans – och tittar bland annat närmare på frågor som sjukvård kontra forskning, social adekvans samt vetenskap och beprövad erfarenhet, liksom på domstolens resonemang gällande ansvarsfrihetsgrunder. 

Perceptions of mental health conditions influence how individuals with psychiatric diagnoses are treated within the community, in the legal system, and at different institutions. We examined perceptions of mental health conditions among lay judges (N = 643), working at district and appellate courts throughout Sweden. Participants read a web-based survey including a crime vignette in which the person charged with a crime was described as having schizophrenia (n = 186), antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) with psychopathic traits (n = 219), or intellectual disability (n = 238). Participants' perceptions of schizophrenia were largely in line with Swedish legislation regarding the medicolegal concept of severe mental disturbance (SMD). Findings were more varied for the other two conditions, however. Perceptions of individuals with ASPD with psychopathic traits were not consistent with the Swedish SMD legislation. The results highlight the complexity of legislation addressing mental illness and criminality.