- I was a victim of crime: consequences and reactions
- The rights of victims of crime
- Right to information
- Right to receive acknowledgement of the complaint
- Right to translation
- Right to victim support services
- Right to be heard
- Rights in the event of a decision not to charge the defendant
- Right to mediation
- Right to legal information and protection
- Right to reimbursement of expenses
- Right to the return of property
- Right to compensation
- Right to protection
- Right to privacy
- Rights of victims resident in another EU member state
- Criminal proceedings
- Who’s who in criminal proceedings
- Victim (Injured Party)
- Judge
- Prosecutor
- Pre-trial investingation officer
- Court secretary
- Court volunteer
- Victim’s lawyer
- Legal representative of an injured party (victim)
- Accompanying person of an injured party (victim)
- Victim support worker
- Suspect and defendant
- Defense lawyer
- Witness
- Experts and specialists
- Interpreter
- Psychologist
- Representative of state institution on protection of children rights
- Civil claimant and civil defendant
Victim’s lawyer
Victims’ lawyers in criminal proceedings are called authorized representatives of injured parties. They provide legal assistance to injured parties (victims) and represent them during the whole criminal procedure.
In certain cases (cases of crimes against health, crimes against freedom, sexual crimes, as well as in cases where injured parties are juveniles) it is obligatory for injured parties to have an authorized representative. Pre-trial investigation officer, a prosecutor, or a judge can decide that interests of an injured party request participation of an authorized representative in other cases also. In these cases you are not allowed to decline services of an authorized representative.
You are free to choose who will act as an authorized representative in your case. Usually functions of authorized representatives are performed by practicing lawyers or their assistants. Please note that in the most of cases injured parties (victims) are entitled to receive free legal aid, you can find more about this right of yours here. In certain cases, if a pre-trial investigation officer, a prosecutor, or a judge agrees, you can invite any other person holding university degree in law to be your authorized representative.