An analysis of the legal regulation of civilian undercover agents in criminal procedure
Translated title
En analyse av den rettslige reguleringen av sivile agenter i straffeprosessen
Author
Kvalbein, Sofie
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2025
Pages
72
Abstract
This thesis analyzes the legal regulation of the use of undercover agents in Danish criminal procedure, with a specific focus on civilian agents following the 2024 amendment that allows individuals outside the police to act as agents. Using a legal-dogmatic method, it maps the Administration of Justice Act §§ 754 a–e (material, procedural, and temporal conditions), including the provocation ban in § 754 b, requirements regarding dependence on the police, and oversight during operations. The analysis draws on legislation and preparatory works, textual interpretation, Danish case law, decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, and selected Norwegian judgments for perspective, with particular attention to ECHR Article 6 on the right to a fair trial and issues around illegally obtained evidence. The thesis discusses risks tied to civilian agents—such as lack of training and the danger of exceeding their mandate—and emphasizes the rule that an agent must not increase the seriousness or scope of the offense. Based on this review, it argues that the method can be used within human rights constraints and enhance investigative efficiency when statutory conditions are met, oversight is robust, and evidence is verifiable, while stressing the need for clear limits and proportionality to protect legal safeguards.
Specialet analyserer den retlige regulering af agentvirksomhed i straffesager med særligt fokus på brugen af sivile agenter efter lovændringen i 2024, der åbnede for anvendelse af personer uden politimæssig ansættelse. Med en retsdogmatisk metode gennemgås retsplejelovens § 754 a–e (materielle, processuelle og tidsmæssige vilkår), herunder provokationsforbuddet i § 754 b, krav til afhængighedsforhold til politiet og kontrol under indsatsen. Analysen bygger på lovgivning og forarbejder, ordlydsfortolkning, dansk retspraksis, praksis fra Den Europæiske Menneskerettighedsdomstol samt visse norske domme til perspektivering, og belyser især EMRK art. 6 om retten til en retfærdig rettergang og håndteringen af ulovligt tilvejebragte beviser. Specialet drøfter risici ved brug af sivile agenter, herunder manglende uddannelse og risiko for overskridelse af mandatet, og understreger, at agenten ikke må øge forbrydelsens grovhed eller omfang. På baggrund af gennemgangen anfører specialet, at metoden kan anvendes inden for menneskeretlige rammer og effektivisere efterforskningen, hvis de lovbestemte vilkår overholdes, kontrollen er tæt, og beviserne kan efterprøves; samtidig fremhæves behovet for klare grænser og proportionalitet for at værne om retssikkerheden.
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