- I was a victim of a criminal offence: consequences and reactions
- The rights of victims of a criminal offence
- Right to be treated with respect and dignity
- Right to privacy
- Right to information about rights from the first contact with the competent authority
- Right to be heard
- Right to interpretation and translation
- Right to be accompanied by a victim support association
- Right to be accompanied by a legal representative and an adult of your choice
- Right to declare a third party’s address as a home address (with their consent)
- Right to return of property
- Right to compensation
- Right to legal aid
- Right to an individualised assessment
- Right to specific protection measures
- Social protection rights
- Right to an alternative to criminal proceedings: mediation
- Right to benefit from restorative justice measures
- Right to information on appeals and remedies
- Criminal proceedings
- Who is who in criminal proceedings
Defence lawyer
The role of the defence lawyer is to represent an individual suspected of having committed an offence. They do this by using all legal means to achieve the best defence for their client, in accordance with the rules of law, and obtain an acquittal/release/not guilty verdict.
Throughout the legal proceedings, the objective is to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of their client. They first intervene whilst their client is in police custody (if applicable) and ensure that their client’s rights are respected.
Whilst making their oral pleadings, they will use cross-examination to challenge the evidence in an attempt to discredit the witnesses, then they will present all the elements favourable to their client’s case, calling their own witnesses or experts who may testify on behalf of their client, with the aim of clearing the charges or at least reducing the sentence.
Every accused has the right to a lawyer. If they cannot find one or cannot afford one, they may use a court-appointed lawyer chosen by the President of the Bar Association or by the judge.