As I'm completely unfamiliar with the justice system here, I'd like to know if anyone knows what judges are like in Switzerland. I read about a judge who gave some people 45 days in prison because they squatted in a deserted house that was up for sale for several days or so. Do the majority of Swiss judges make such harsh verdicts?

What did you do? It would be easier for us to help

Sounds pretty lenient to me.

Tom

Spot on.

I think prison sentences in Switzerland are generally way too lenient.

prison for a harmless misdemeanor in which no one was hurt? I think I remember the article saying the judge wanted to give them each 5 years in prison even after he took into account that none had previous records but someone vetoed against that or stopped that decision going through somehow..I didn't understand the article too well as it was in a foreign language.

Doesn't sound like that bad a decision to me. These people were obviously homeless, so giving them jail time at least ensured that they would have a roof over their heads. Who knows, maybe that was their plan all along...

What would be the alternative? Fining them? They would most likely not be able to pay, anyway.

I don't think the person who owned the deserted house was free from being harmed; do you?

Try showing a house after you've had squatters... See what it does to the value...

The squatters got off light. The broke into someones else property and occupied it illegally they therefore deserve a decent penalty.

This approach should be much much tighter in the UK then it currently is, an unoccupied home is not an invitation for a bunch of free loaders to occupy.

Ah I was able to find the article again..http://www.solidarites.ch/journal/d/article/2660/..It is in French. I'm not sure if it says somewhere in there if they were homeless. There are homeless people in Suisse?

oops..here's the link again.
http://www.solidarites.ch/journal/d/article/2660/

The house was empty for years and was going to be demolished soon.

There are homeless people in Switzerland, just not as visible as in most other places.

Squatters however have an issue with real estate companies that leave places empty on purpose (rents that are way over the top, waiting to renovate for luxury appartments) while lots of people are looking for a place to stay.
They are not homeless, but protest this issue (while partying hard in their unpaid flats/workspaces). It would be nice if they also clean up after their own - but that's usually when they forget about being nice..

What does that have to do with anything? Because you are homeless, you're not required to respect the property rights of others?

Someone else said they were most likely homeless..I was writing in response to her..sorry if that confused you..that wasn't directed to everyone.

So if y'all were the judge, what would be your verdict for these squatters?

So what - someone else owns it and has every right to expect that people wont simple occupy it.

If the people are homeless they can get a sleeping bag and find a large hole to sleep in, or get off their backside and do something about it

Whatever it takes to teach 'em not to squat again.

Yes I agree that's what they should do.

Perhaps Swiss prison is a better option that squatting? I imagine they'd be well taken care of in a Swiss prison.