Criminal Law
Information on criminal investigations, defence, representing victims and appeals in Turkish criminal proceedings, for suspects and victims in Şanlıurfa and abroad.
Criminal law (ceza hukuku) deals with offences and the procedure for investigating and judging them. In Turkey, criminal proceedings consist of an investigation phase (soruşturma) led by the public prosecutor (Cumhuriyet savcısı) and, if an indictment is filed, a trial phase (kovuşturma) before the criminal court.
Legal assistance can be needed both by suspects or defendants and by victims (müşteki or katılan) who want their rights protected during the proceedings. Foreigners and visitors may also become involved, for example after a traffic incident or a dispute during a stay in Turkey.
Scope of services
- Assistance during statements (ifade) at the police or the prosecutor's office
- Defence during the investigation and trial phases
- Representation of victims and filing criminal complaints (suç duyurusu)
- Objections to detention (tutuklama) and judicial control measures (adli kontrol)
- Objections to decisions of non-prosecution (kovuşturmaya yer olmadığına dair karar)
- Appeals (istinaf and temyiz) against criminal judgments
- Matters concerning the execution of sentences (infaz)
- Proceedings involving foreign nationals, including travel bans (yurt dışı çıkış yasağı)
How does the process work?
- The accusation or complaint and any documents received are reviewed, and your rights are explained.
- Where possible, the investigation file is examined and you are accompanied during statements.
- Evidence, witnesses and legal arguments for the defence or the complaint are prepared and submitted.
- Hearings are attended and the proceedings are followed until judgment.
- Legal remedies against the decision are assessed within the applicable deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have the right to a lawyer and an interpreter?
Yes. Suspects and defendants may be assisted by a lawyer at every stage, including the first statement. Those who do not speak sufficient Turkish are entitled to an interpreter free of charge. You also have the right to remain silent.
Is there a deadline for filing a complaint?
For offences that are prosecuted only upon complaint (şikayete bağlı suçlar), the complaint must generally be made within six months of learning of the act and the perpetrator. Other offences are prosecuted ex officio, subject to limitation periods.
I live abroad and a case has been opened against me. What should I do?
Proceedings in Turkey can continue even if you are abroad, and a judgment can have consequences when you next enter the country. A lawyer can examine the file, submit a defence and, in some cases, request that your statement be taken through a consulate or by letter rogatory (istinabe). Each case should be evaluated individually.
For questions about a criminal matter, please use our contact page.