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RAPPEN INFÖR RÄTTA - En komparativ studie om hiphopens roll i rättsprocessen.

Rauf, Zejneb LU (2022) LAGF03 20222
Department of Law
Faculty of Law
Abstract (Swedish)
Följande uppsats undersöker i vilken utsträckning låttexter har använts som bevismaterial i brottsmålsprocesser, och om användandet av låttexter på något sätt påverkar rättssäkerheten. Detta görs genom att inledningsvis redogöra för gällande svensk och amerikansk rätt och avgöranden från domstolar. Därefter besvaras uppsatsens syfte med hjälp av det undersökta materialet.
Hiphop har under de senaste åren vuxit till att bli en av de mest populära musikgenrerna. Det är vanligt förekommande att rappare skriver om vapen, våld och annan typ av kriminalitet. När dessa rappare sedan misstänks för brott har deras låttexter stundtals utgjort en del av bevismaterialet som åklagare eller polis sammanställt.
Det är tillåtet i Sverige att använda sig... (More)
Följande uppsats undersöker i vilken utsträckning låttexter har använts som bevismaterial i brottsmålsprocesser, och om användandet av låttexter på något sätt påverkar rättssäkerheten. Detta görs genom att inledningsvis redogöra för gällande svensk och amerikansk rätt och avgöranden från domstolar. Därefter besvaras uppsatsens syfte med hjälp av det undersökta materialet.
Hiphop har under de senaste åren vuxit till att bli en av de mest populära musikgenrerna. Det är vanligt förekommande att rappare skriver om vapen, våld och annan typ av kriminalitet. När dessa rappare sedan misstänks för brott har deras låttexter stundtals utgjort en del av bevismaterialet som åklagare eller polis sammanställt.
Det är tillåtet i Sverige att använda sig av låttexter som bevismaterial, då fri bevisföring föreligger. Det är däremot inte alltid som låttexterna har något bevisvärde, då domstolen efter en bevisprövning kan bedöma om låttexterna anses vara nödvändiga eller inte för fallet i fråga. I NJA 2021 s. 215 har det HD även uttryckt ett större utrymme för rappare att uttrycka sig provokativt i konstnärligt syfte, utan att detta ska kunna anses peka på brottslighet.
I USA tillåts även låttexter att användas som bevismaterial. Det finns däremot begränsningar i bland annat rule 404(b) FRE som uttrycker ett förbud mot att presentera uppgifter om andra handlingar som den tilltalade utfört om det görs i syfte att färga den tilltalades karaktär. Rule 404(b) FRE har tillämpats olika i snarlika fall, vilket resulterar i att rättssäkerheten i form av förutsägbarhet kan komma att kompromissas. (Less)
Abstract
The following essay explores to what extent lyrics can be used as evidence in criminal proceedings, and if the usage of lyrics contradicts the principle of legal certainty in any way. This is done in the essay by initially explaining current Swedish, as well as American, laws and decisions from court. Thereafter, the purpose of the essay is answered with the help of the examined material.
Hiphop is one of the fastest growing genres today. Within the hiphop community, subjects such as weapons, violence and other types of criminal affairs are recurring in the lyrics. When rappers become suspects in a criminal case, it is common that their lyrics are used against them in the indictment and in court.
In Sweden, it is permissible for the... (More)
The following essay explores to what extent lyrics can be used as evidence in criminal proceedings, and if the usage of lyrics contradicts the principle of legal certainty in any way. This is done in the essay by initially explaining current Swedish, as well as American, laws and decisions from court. Thereafter, the purpose of the essay is answered with the help of the examined material.
Hiphop is one of the fastest growing genres today. Within the hiphop community, subjects such as weapons, violence and other types of criminal affairs are recurring in the lyrics. When rappers become suspects in a criminal case, it is common that their lyrics are used against them in the indictment and in court.
In Sweden, it is permissible for the attorney to present lyrics as evidence, because of the vested principle that allows everything to be presented as evidence. However, it is not always that the evidence in question actually is used in the case. The court has an obligation to examine the evidence, and assess whether the lyrics are considered necessary or not for the case in question. The court has also expressed a leniency when it comes to expressions in lyrics; rappers should be allowed to express themselves provocatively for artistic purposes, without this being considered as a confession of criminal activity.
The USA also allows lyrics to be used as evidence in indictments and court. There are limits, however, including the ones that are found in rule 404(b) FRE. The law expresses a prohibition against presenting information about other acts performed by the defendant, if it is done for the purpose of discrediting the character of the defendant. Rule 404(b) FRE has been applied differently in similar cases. This results in legal certainty, in the form of predictability, being compromised. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Rauf, Zejneb LU
supervisor
organization
course
LAGF03 20222
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
processrätt, brottsmål, låttexter, bevismaterial, sverige, USA
language
Swedish
id
9104819
date added to LUP
2023-02-03 16:35:43
date last changed
2023-02-03 16:35:43
@misc{9104819,
  abstract     = {{The following essay explores to what extent lyrics can be used as evidence in criminal proceedings, and if the usage of lyrics contradicts the principle of legal certainty in any way. This is done in the essay by initially explaining current Swedish, as well as American, laws and decisions from court. Thereafter, the purpose of the essay is answered with the help of the examined material.
Hiphop is one of the fastest growing genres today. Within the hiphop community, subjects such as weapons, violence and other types of criminal affairs are recurring in the lyrics. When rappers become suspects in a criminal case, it is common that their lyrics are used against them in the indictment and in court.
In Sweden, it is permissible for the attorney to present lyrics as evidence, because of the vested principle that allows everything to be presented as evidence. However, it is not always that the evidence in question actually is used in the case. The court has an obligation to examine the evidence, and assess whether the lyrics are considered necessary or not for the case in question. The court has also expressed a leniency when it comes to expressions in lyrics; rappers should be allowed to express themselves provocatively for artistic purposes, without this being considered as a confession of criminal activity.
The USA also allows lyrics to be used as evidence in indictments and court. There are limits, however, including the ones that are found in rule 404(b) FRE. The law expresses a prohibition against presenting information about other acts performed by the defendant, if it is done for the purpose of discrediting the character of the defendant. Rule 404(b) FRE has been applied differently in similar cases. This results in legal certainty, in the form of predictability, being compromised.}},
  author       = {{Rauf, Zejneb}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{RAPPEN INFÖR RÄTTA - En komparativ studie om hiphopens roll i rättsprocessen.}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}