Police officer was not dismissed from his position in criminal case.
Supreme Court judgment 11 September 2025, HR-2025-1748-A, (case no. 25-099120STR-HRET), criminal case, appeal against Hålogaland Court of Appeal's judgment 7 May 2025.
I. The Public Prosecution Authority (Counsel Kirsti Jullum Jensen) v. A (Counsel Jon Matti Wessel-Aas)
II. A (Counsel Jon Matti Wessel-Aas) v. The Public Prosecution Authority (Counsel Kirsti Jullum Jensen)
A police officer was found guilty of obstructing a police investigation of a case involving domestic abuse. The investigation targeted a friend of the officer. He destroyed his mobile phone after the District Court had issued a decision for its seizure and search.
The question before the Supreme Court was what sentence the officer should receive, including whether he should be dismissed from his position.
The Supreme Court concluded that dismissal from his position would be too severe. In practice, it would likely mean he could no longer work in the police force. Such a penalty must be reserved for more serious cases. The sentence was set at 21 days of imprisonment.
The judgment provides guidance on the threshold for dismissing someone from their position as a form of punishment.
Read the judgment from the Supreme Court (Norwegian only) (PDF)
Area of law: Criminal law, sections 56 and 160 of the Penal Code
Key paragraphs: 25, 35 og 51
Justices: Falch, Høgetveit Berg, Sæther, Lund, Vang