Criminal Law
Criminal allegations, criminal responsibility, and investigation and trial proceedings.
ABOUT THIS FIELD
Criminal law determines which acts constitute offences, the conditions of criminal responsibility and the sanctions that may apply. Criminal procedure governs the process from the first report of a suspected offence through final judgment; the presumption of innocence and the right of defence are fundamental safeguards throughout. Enforcement forms a separate stage after the judgment becomes final.
The lawyer takes part in the proceedings as defence counsel for a suspect or defendant, and as representative for a victim, complainant or participating party. The procedural stage, the substance of the allegation, the evidence and any procedural measures imposed determine the scope of the defence or application.
Principal areas of work
- 01
Defence of suspects and representation of victims and complainants during investigations
- 02
Attendance at statements, judicial questioning and identification procedures
- 03
Applications concerning custody, pre-trial detention and judicial-control measures
- 04
Review of the lawfulness of search and seizure procedures
- 05
Defence of accused persons and representation of participating parties during trial proceedings
- 06
Assessment of the lawfulness of evidence, the material facts and the legal classification of the alleged offence
- 07
Regional appellate review, cassation and requests concerning extraordinary remedies
- 08
Applications to enforcement judges and conditional-release procedures
- 09
Individual applications arising from criminal proceedings