Amendment to Criminal Code to alter prison sentences

An amendment to the Criminal Code adjusting sentencing rules will come into force on 1 January. Courts will no longer automatically send offenders to prison for repeated minor thefts or failure to pay child support. According to Justice Minister Jeroným Tejc (ANO), judges will have to review around 4,000 verdicts to determine whether the offences remain punishable under the new legislation.

The amendment reduces penalties for failure to pay child support, which will now be a criminal offence only if the child is at risk of deprivation. About 300 people convicted of this offence are expected to be released in January.