Violence and Judicial Verdicts: A study of Mellersta and Västra Värends Courts and Växjö Magistrate´s Court, 1960-1970

The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of the development of violent crime in the geographical area belonging to the district courts of Mellersta- and Västra Värends, as well as Växjö Magistrate´s Court, during the period 1960—1970. The questions addressed include: What was the demographic distribution among crime victims and perpetrators in terms of gender, age, possible alcohol influence during the crime, and the relationships between the victim and the perpetrator? To what extent were young people perpetrators? How have the number of judgements changed over time? How can crime history be utilized in high school education? The prime material used consists of judgements from court records, and the theoretical frameworks include social vulnerability, peer influence and socialization, among others. The method employed is primarily quantitative, with the results presented in tabular form. The study confirms previous research on violent crimes, revealing that the majority of those convicted or victimized by violence during the period were men. However, one woman faced charges of rape but was ultimately convicted for assault, a charge outside the scope of sexual offences. The highest average age (31,8 years), including both men and women was found in Växjö Magistrate´s Court and stood out in the study. Concerning youth offenders, the study revealed that in Västra Värends district court, the majority (36,6 %) were in the 15—20 age group. Alcohol emerged as a recurring factor in the study. Of the total cases in Mellersta Värends district court, 65,6 % were influenced by alcohol at the time of the defense. In conclusion, the study confirms that socialization, peer influence and alcohol played significant roles in shaping the characteristics of violent crimes during this period