In 1864 the first modern penal code (hereafter PC 1864) was issued in Sweden and became effective in 1865. A century later a new Criminal Code (hereafter CC) was adopted in 1962 and came into force in 1965. The CC has since 1965 been partially revised but has retained the same structure. The period from 1865 to the present day has seen the emergence of a totally new society in Sweden, but these increasingly rapid changes have caused the legislator problems in ensuring that the reform of the law keeps pace.