Criminal Law, Serious Crime & Arrests

The most important right in criminal proceedings

Every person summoned for questioning, whether as a suspect or as a witness, has a fundamental right to consult a lawyer before the questioning. This is not a formality: it is the most significant decision you will make in the entire process. The statistics are simple: most criminal cases are decided based on what was said, or not said, in the interrogation room, long before the case reaches a judge.

What happens in the consultation meeting?

In the meeting we will examine together: what you are suspected of and what the police most likely have in hand; what the correct line of response is, giving a full statement, a partial statement, or remaining silent, and when each of the options serves you; which interrogation tactics are expected (informant, confrontation, "we have everything", pressure, and time); and what your rights are during detention, arrest, and search. A prepared suspect enters the interrogation room calm, focused, and cannot be surprised.

Introduction: the two stages of the criminal proceeding

The criminal proceeding consists of two stages. In the first stage, the defendant's guilt is determined, namely whether they committed the offense. If convicted, the proceeding moves to the second stage: sentencing. The court has broad discretion in determining the sentence, and it takes into account both the circumstances of the offense and the personal circumstances of the defendant.