A criminal case is won or lost during the pre-trial investigation, not in court. By the time a case reaches a judge, the prosecution has already gathered evidence, recorded statements and established the charges. It is far more difficult to change this in court than to prevent it from happening in the first place.
A criminal defence lawyer is needed from the very outset — from the moment of arrest, a search or the first summons for questioning. Not when ‘things get serious’: it’s already serious the moment they come for you.
We defend suspects and accused persons, and we also represent victims — these are two different tasks, and we handle both.
+38 095 554-54-24 — legal advice
Areas of practice
The first few hours
- Defence upon arrest — the 72 hours that determine the entire case
- Defence during searches and questioning — lawyer’s attendance, documentation of violations
Pre-trial investigation
- Defence during the pre-trial investigation stage
- Appeal against a notice of suspicion
- Revocation or amendment of a preventive measure
- Return of seized property
- Access to case files
- Entry of information into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations
The trial and its aftermath
If you are the victim
- Support for victims in criminal proceedings
- Appealing against police actions
- Compensation for damage caused by the state
Your rights — and how they are lost
The right to remain silent. No one is obliged to testify against themselves or their relatives (Article 63 of the Constitution). Refusal to give evidence does not constitute proof of guilt. However, most cases are built precisely on statements given in the first few hours without a lawyer, when a person was ‘simply recounting what happened’.
The right to a defence lawyer — from the moment of arrest, right up to the first interrogation, in private. The investigator has no right to prevent a lawyer from being present during a search or interrogation.
The right not to sign documents whose content you do not agree with, and to make comments on the records.
The right to challenge — detention, a search, a suspicion, a preventive measure, the seizure of property, or the inaction of an investigator.
The most common tactic used to circumvent these rights is questioning as a witness of someone who is, in fact, already a suspect. A witness is obliged to give evidence, whereas a suspect is not.
Key time limits
| What | Time limit |
|---|---|
| Detention without a court order | up to 72 hours from the time of actual detention |
| Challenging the suspicion before an investigating judge | after 1 month from the date of notification; in serious and particularly serious cases — after 2 months |
| Appeal against the verdict | 30 days from the date of pronouncement |
Pre-trial detention is an exceptional preventive measure. The prosecutor must prove the risks (absconding, destruction of evidence, influencing witnesses), rather than merely asserting them.
What a lawyer does in the first few hours
- travels to the scene — to the police station, to a search, to the investigating officer;
- secures a private meeting before the first interrogation;
- checks the legality of actions: grounds, rulings, time limits, service of documents;
- records any breaches — in writing, in the minutes, with comments;
- formulates a position regarding testimony;
- prepares for the preventive measure — character references, documents, justification for bail instead of pre-trial detention.
Anything not recorded at the scene cannot be proven later: it is one person’s word against the investigator’s.
When a solicitor is not needed
There is no such situation in criminal cases. If you have been visited, summoned or served with a document — you need a solicitor, regardless of whether you are guilty or not.
This is the only category where we would never say ‘try it yourself’.
Cost of services
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Legal consultation | from 1,500 UAH |
| Legal opinion: case analysis and defence strategy | from 5,000 UAH |
| Preparation of procedural documents, applications and complaints | from 5,000 UAH |
| Lawyer’s participation in investigative procedures (interrogation, search, identification) | from 15,000 UAH |
| Participation in one court hearing | from 3,000 UAH |
| Court representation | from 10,000 UAH |
| Comprehensive ‘turnkey’ representation in a criminal case | from 60,000 UAH |
The price depends on the severity of the offence, the stage of proceedings, the number of incidents and the need for expert assessments.
Questions and answers (Criminal defence solicitor)
How long can someone be held without a court order?
No more than 72 hours from the time of actual arrest. After that, the person must be brought before an investigating judge to determine a preventive measure or release.
Can I refuse to give evidence?
Yes. No one is obliged to testify against themselves or their relatives. Refusal does not constitute evidence of guilt and cannot be used against you.
Do I need a lawyer if I am summoned as a witness?
Yes. Often, someone who is in fact already a suspect is questioned as a witness — in order to deprive them of their rights as a suspect. A witness is obliged to give evidence, whereas a suspect is not.
Can a lawyer be barred from attending a search?
No. The investigator has no right to prevent a lawyer from being present. You have the right to delay the start of the search until your lawyer arrives.
Is it possible to avoid being remanded in custody?
Yes. This is an exceptional measure, and the prosecutor must demonstrate the risks based on specific circumstances. It is very often possible to secure bail, house arrest or a personal undertaking.
When can I challenge the charge?
One month after being notified of the charge, or two months in cases involving serious or particularly serious offences.
I am a victim. Do I need a solicitor?
Yes, if you want a tangible outcome: oversight of the investigation to ensure the case is not closed, and a civil claim for damages within the framework of the criminal proceedings.
Can property seized during a search be returned?
Yes. Property that has been temporarily seized and which the court has not placed under arrest within the prescribed time limit is subject to return. This is often ‘overlooked’ — which is why a formal application is required.
What should I bring to the consultation?
All the documents you have been given: the arrest report, the search warrant, reports of investigative actions, the notice of suspicion, court orders and summonses.
Contacting a criminal defence lawyer at Svarog
Call us straight away — in criminal cases, time is working against you. A statement given without a lawyer remains on your record forever; a violation not recorded at the scene is later deemed not to have occurred. We will accompany you to the police station, to the search and to the investigator.
+38 095 554-54-24 · Kyiv, 7 Khoriva Street (Podil) · Mon–Fri 9.00–18.00