Custodial sentence

In Swiss criminal law, a custodial sentence deprives the convicted person of liberty for a fixed period or, in the most serious cases, for life. It differs from fines, monetary penalties, and measures aimed primarily at treatment or security. The court determines the length by considering culpability, the offence, and the offender’s personal circumstances. Execution may be immediate, suspended, or partly suspended if legal conditions are met. Comparative systems use similar terms such as imprisonment or incarceration.