The appeals court of Finland has lowered the sentences originally handed out by the Päijät-Häme District Court to two men involved in the robbery of an ATM in Padasjoki. In September 2024, the district court sentenced them to prison terms of two years and eight months. They were found guilty of aggravated theft, the theft of a motor vehicle, and unauthorized use of a vehicle; one of the men also faced drug-related charges. However, the appeal court dismissed some of the charges, namely the unauthorized use, due to a lack of claim from the victim.

In its ruling, the appeal court noted that the impact of this dismissed charge would only minimally affect the overall sentencing. It ultimately converted the two-year sentence into a conditional sentence of one year and five months of imprisonment. The court justified this change by stating that the seriousness of the crimes did not warrant an unequivocal prison sentence, especially since the defendant had no prior convictions.

This ruling highlights a significant aspect of Finland's judicial approach, emphasizing rehabilitation over punitive measures. The decision to have a conditional sentence suggests that the judicial system is open to giving offenders an opportunity for reintegration into society, particularly in cases where there are no previous offenses. It raises a discussion about the balance between public safety and second chances for offenders in Finland's legal framework.