The differences in Polish and Norwegian law are visible at every step - this is also the case of the mother, who was treated very favorably by the Norwegian authorities. The sentence of 19 days' imprisonment was quashed. Nor does she have to entrust the child to social care. This is the decision of the Kriminalomsorgen services.
How did this happen?
The reason for the charge and sentence was alcohol. The 40-year-old did not pay the fine related to driving under the influence of alcohol. She applied for a change of the term of imprisonment, citing breastfeeding her less than one-year-old child as an argument. She also emphasized the fact that she had recently repaid part of the financial penalty.
The situation took place four years ago. The woman received a ticket for driving under the influence of alcohol. She repaid the debt very regularly, the problems started after giving birth to a child. The debt balance as of October 2018 was CZK 26, which is equivalent to 900 days behind bars. The Pole also heard this sentence.
Further events ...
The condemned woman was due to appear in Ravneberg prison on January 16, the date was postponed to February 8. The court went "on hand" for the Polish woman, even though she did not show up to serve her sentence. When asked by journalists about the reason for her failure to appear, she gave random reasons - she had no one to leave the child with. According to his mother's testimony, the son also refuses to eat from the bottle.
Social welfare and internet user support
The child was to be handed over to social services, as is usually the case in such situations. However, lawyers appealed for a postponement of the sentence, citing the mother's breastfeeding and the necessary care for her offspring in the first year of life as the reason. The Prison Service (Kriminalomsorgen) rejected the application, stating that the baby requires constant care for 9 months of life, and the convict's son is already a month older.
Internet users also showed great support and, as reported by the VG daily, the Prison Service overturned the verdict and returned to the original, financial form of debt repayment. February 12 the woman transferred 10. crowns in connection with the debt. The amount was reduced to CZK 16. Thanks to the publicity of the case in the media and on the website spleis.no, Internet users created a fundraiser to help the Polish woman. At this point, a total of PLN 900 has already been collected. crowns
Change in law - light at the end of the tunnel ...
It is worth mentioning that after 1 May in Norway a new regulation will come into force, which will be a light at the end of the tunnel for the convicted Polish woman. From that date, the fine can be converted into community service in special circumstances.
