Anyone who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time can become a victim of a criminal offence. This may result in:
- physical or psychological injury;
- loss of property;
- a threatening situation.
Assistance to victims in criminal proceedings is provided through:
- the provision of legal advice;
- providing medical care;
- providing psychological support;
- granting financial assistance.
How are victims classified in criminal proceedings?
A person who has suffered harm is recognised as a victim in criminal proceedings:
- property harm – theft, vandalism, accident;
- emotional harm – abuse, bullying, disclosure of confidential information;
- physical – injury.
Victim status can be obtained in the following ways:
- reporting a crime by submitting a written statement;
- apply to be recognised as a victim in criminal proceedings that are already open;
- as a result of recognition by a decision of the investigator.
What rights does a victim have?
Various situations may arise during criminal proceedings, which is why the victim has various rights. These include the following:
- to submit motions;
- to file a report of an offence;
- to receive information about the charges;
- to have and provide evidence;
- to receive compensation for damages;
- be safe;
- protect property;
- receive psychological support;
- be aware of one’s rights.
Why do you need a solicitor’s help?
Engaging a criminal solicitor can be an important step towards:
- upholding the victim’s rights;
- gathering and securing evidence;
- filing procedural documents;
- representing the victim’s interests in court.
When is intervention needed?
Legal assistance may be required not only for gathering evidence or representing interests. Sometimes, the investigator does nothing to investigate the case. This may take the following forms:
- the absence of information about the offence in the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations;
- failure to return seized property;
- failure to carry out other procedural actions.
In this case, it is necessary to lodge a complaint. However, in addition to the aforementioned instances of inaction, there are others:
- suspension of the pre-trial investigation by decision of the prosecutor or investigator;
- the closure of criminal proceedings by decision of the investigator or prosecutor;
- refusal to recognise a person as a victim;
- changes to the procedure of the pre-trial investigation.
Criminal defence solicitor: services from Svarog experts
All victims require the assistance of a solicitor, as everyone feels vulnerable and is unable to resolve a number of issues on their own. That is why our firm’s solicitors assist victims with a range of services:
- consultation on every issue in a private setting;
- drafting of a statement of claim;
- defence in criminal proceedings;
- appealing against court decisions;
- full representation of the client’s interests.
Get advice from a criminal lawyer right now to resolve your issues.
Questions and Answers
What rights does a victim have in criminal proceedings?
The main rights of a victim are:
- receiving full information regarding the criminal proceedings;
- to access the case files at any time;
- to participate in the criminal proceedings;
- to receive protection for themselves and their loved ones;
- to claim compensation for property damage.
How do I report a criminal offence?
You can report an offence by visiting the police in person or by sending an email.
How can a victim obtain compensation for damages?
To do this, you must:
- apply to be recognised as a victim;
- file a civil claim in the criminal proceedings.
Can a lawyer represent the victim during questioning?
A lawyer has the right to be present during questioning and to represent the victim’s interests. This helps to protect the victim’s interests.
What should you do if the investigator fails to investigate the case?
The investigator’s inaction must not be left unchallenged. You can appeal against this inaction to the following authorities:
- the public prosecutor;
- the governing body of the pre-trial investigation;
- the investigating judge.
How much does a lawyer cost for the victim?
There is no fixed price for legal assistance for the victim. It depends on the following factors:
- the need to participate in investigative proceedings;
- drafting the necessary documents;
- full case management until the verdict is handed down.
This is why the cost can vary significantly from one case to another. To obtain this information, you should seek advice from lawyers.