Lighter cannabis regulations coming to the Czech Republic

Alternatives to prison sentences

The amendment was signed by President Petr Pavel last Thursday, and according to the Czech Ministry of Justice, the new regulations primarily encourage the use of alternative sanctions – such as fines – especially for non-violent crimes. However, in the case of violent crimes, imprisonment will remain mandatory.

Penalties will also be reduced for online glorification of terrorism and repeated thefts of small value. According to the ministry, the new policy aims not only to relieve the burden on prisons, but also to prevent relapses – since severe imprisonment in itself is often not an effective deterrent.

From the victims’ perspective

Minister of Justice Eva Decroix stressed that the current approach to criminal law often puts the interests of victims in the background. “We often forget that although the perpetrator is in prison, the victim is still there – often without a therapist, in a difficult state of mind, even struggling with financial problems,” she said. According to the minister, the current amendment also reflects these shortcomings.

Child protection tightened: the “child certificate” is coming

The new law also introduces a provision aimed at protecting children: the so-called “child certificate” is a register in which those convicted of serious crimes against children will be listed. The registration will remain in effect for one hundred years, or twenty years in milder cases. The goal is to prevent these convicts from working with children in the future.