SwissCrime - Clarity in Swiss criminal law. Focus on secondary criminal law.
Whether you are the victim of a criminal offense, are confronted with an accusation or want to ensure your compliance as a company - SwissCrime offers you in-depth knowledge, up-to-date insights and comprehensible answers.
We explain Swiss secondary criminal law clearly and comprehensibly - with concrete examples, useful graphics and practical tips.
Who is SwissCrime intended for?
People suspected or convicted of a crime: What threat do I face? What can I do? How do proceedings proceed?
Victims: What rights do I have? Where can I get support?
Compliance officers: How do I prevent criminal risks in the company?
Students and other interested parties: comprehensible legal situations, judgments and developments.
Why stay?
Because knowledge protects. And because good information on criminal law should not just be reserved for lawyers. Immerse yourself in our information portal, find out about your rights or read the latest legal developments in our blog.
On this website you will find specific information on selected criminal offenses as an affected person, victim or company.
More background
In Switzerland, a large proportion of criminal offenses are not regulated by the Swiss Criminal Code (SCC), but by so-called secondary criminal laws. These are special laws such as the Narcotics Act (NarcS), the Embargo Act (EmbA), the Therapeutic Products Act (TPA), the Weapons Act (WA), the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (FIA), the Customs Act, and the CITES Act on trade in protected animal and plant species.
This website is specifically dedicated to secondary criminal law in Switzerland. It highlights key areas of regulation outside the core criminal law of the StGB that often play a significant role in practice—namely in situations where those affected often do not expect to face criminal charges. This is because many provisions of ancillary criminal law have a profound impact on the everyday lives of private individuals, companies, and institutions and can result in severe penalties even without criminal intent.
Our aim is to provide you with a well-founded but comprehensible introduction to selected topics in ancillary criminal law. The content is aimed at individuals and companies seeking legal advice – in particular those who are facing criminal proceedings for the first time, have received a criminal order, or are seeking preventive information on a specific special law.
The texts are tailored to the needs of non-lawyers: definitions of terms, practical examples, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and clearly structured content are designed to provide initial legal guidance – without requiring any prior legal knowledge. We also publish the latest developments in secondary criminal law on our blog.
Disclaimer: This page does not replace personal legal advice from a qualified lawyer. If you are involved in ongoing proceedings or have specific questions about your case, we recommend that you seek professional help in good time.
Areas of law
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Criminal law provisions in the area of species and nature conservation relate in particular to the illegal trade in protected animals and plants and import and export bans.
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Criminal offenses under immigration law include unlawful residence, providing false information in migration proceedings, and illegal employment.
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Criminal law relating to narcotics covers, among other things, the possession, manufacture, import, and trafficking of illegal substances.
Further information.
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The following are particularly relevant under criminal law: unauthorized gambling, circumvention of licensing requirements, and violations of player protection regulations.
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Criminal law prohibits concealing the origin of assets derived from criminal activity. Central to this are obligations to cooperate and control requirements under the Money Laundering Act.
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Criminal offenses in the medical field include unauthorized medical treatment, breach of professional duty, integrity obligations, and violations of the Therapeutic Products Act.
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Criminal law in the area of international sanctions concerns violations of export bans, freezing obligations, financing prohibitions, and other measures in accordance with embargo law and sanctions regulations.
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The Radiation Protection Act (StSG) protects people and the environment from the dangers of ionizing radiation—such as from X-ray equipment, radioactive substances, or nuclear materials. Whether in medicine, industry, or research, anyone who handles radiation improperly, disregards regulations, or even intentionally releases radiation risks heavy fines or even imprisonment.
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Traffic law regulates, among other things, driving while unfit to drive, gross violations of traffic regulations, breach of duty in accidents, and endangering road traffic.
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In criminal proceedings, persons concerned are entitled to specific procedural rights, including the right to refuse to testify, access to files, a fair hearing, and protection against unlawful coercive measures.
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Weapons law covers the illegal acquisition, possession, carrying, or transfer of weapons, as well as violations of licensing and storage requirements under the Weapons Act.
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Whether you are placing an online order from abroad, importing goods for business purposes, or returning from vacation with souvenirs, anyone importing goods into Switzerland is subject to customs law—and often criminal law as well. Incorrect declarations, forgotten declarations, or the import of prohibited products can quickly result in high fines or even criminal proceedings.
Let's talk.
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