Criminal defence and representation
Representing suspects, defendants, victims and intervening parties from investigation to appeal.
- Criminal cases
Last updated: · Av. Şeref Şahin
Criminal law applies when you are accused of an offence or have been harmed by one. The prosecutor leads the investigation stage and the court leads the trial stage; at both stages you have the right to a lawyer.
What you say in your first statement can shape the rest of the case. That is why it matters to speak to a lawyer as soon as you are summoned by the police or the prosecutor’s office.
When legal advice may be needed
- You have been summoned to give a statement to the police or the prosecutor
- You have been taken into custody, or a relative has been arrested
- An indictment has been filed against you
- You have been harmed by an offence and want to file a complaint
- A judgment needs to be taken to a regional appeal court or the Court of Cassation
- You want your criminal record cleared, or a deferral of the announcement of the verdict is at issue
Services
- Defence counsel during statements at the police and prosecutor’s office
- Representation at questioning before the criminal judgeship of peace and objections to detention
- Defence before the criminal courts of first instance and the high criminal courts
- Representing victims and intervening parties, and drafting criminal complaints
- Objections to judicial control measures and travel bans
- Appeals to the regional courts of appeal and the Court of Cassation
- Extraordinary legal remedies against final judgments (writ of error in the interest of law, objection by the Chief Public Prosecutor, retrial)
- Individual application to the Constitutional Court and applications to the European Court of Human Rights
- Cybercrime, economic crime and abuse of office cases
Common questions in this area
I have been summoned to give a statement. Is it a problem if I go without a lawyer?
Giving a statement without a lawyer is not prohibited, but your statement is one of the most important documents in the file. The Code of Criminal Procedure gives you the right to have defence counsel present. Speaking to a lawyer beforehand helps you decide how to approach the questions.
What does the right to remain silent mean?
A suspect or defendant cannot be forced to make a statement about the accusation. Remaining silent is not treated as evidence against you. When and how to use this right should be decided with your lawyer, based on the facts of the case.
How can I object to a detention order?
You can object by filing a petition with the criminal judgeship of peace that issued the order. The deadline is seven days from the date you learn of the decision. You can also request release at any time while detention continues.
What is a deferral of the announcement of the verdict (HAGB)?
Under certain conditions, the court does not announce its verdict and sets a five-year supervision period instead. If no new intentional offence is committed during that period, the case is dismissed. The deferral decision can be challenged by objection.