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Criminal law

Criminal law in practice

A summons for questioning, a criminal charge, the arrest of someone close to you, or an accident followed by a prosecution. People turn to a defence lawyer when their freedom, reputation and livelihood are on the line. We handle traffic offences including drink driving, economic crime involving company directors and entrepreneurs, property offences and minor offences.

We can take over the defence at any stage, but the start of the case leaves the most room. Before the first interview we explain your rights, including the right to remain silent, study the file, propose evidence and check that the police and prosecutors act lawfully. Where the law allows, we look at alternatives to prosecution, such as conditional discontinuance or a settlement with the victim. After a judgment we prepare an appeal or, where available, an appeal on points of law.

We defend suspects and accused persons, and we represent victims who want to claim compensation within the criminal proceedings. Our office is in Žilina and we provide defence before courts throughout Slovakia, in Slovak, Czech or English. An initial assessment can take place in person or online, and everything you tell us is protected by legal professional secrecy. If someone close to you has been detained, the family can contact us, and the mandate is then confirmed by them or by the accused.

What we help with

  • Defence from the first procedural step to the appeal court
  • Attending interviews and help on arrest
  • Custody hearings and applications to replace custody
  • Traffic offences: drink driving, injury caused in an accident
  • Economic crime: fraud, embezzlement, tax offences
  • Conditional discontinuance, settlement, plea agreements
  • Representing victims and claiming compensation in criminal proceedings
  • Filing a criminal complaint
  • Appeals, appeals on points of law and applications for parole
  • Defence in minor offence proceedings

How we work

  1. First contact

    Get in touch before the step you have been summoned to. We establish your status in the proceedings and what lies ahead, and agree on taking over the defence.

  2. File and strategy

    We study the file and the evidence, discuss with you whether to give a statement or exercise the right to remain silent, and propose a defence strategy.

  3. Proceedings and court

    We attend interviews, confrontations and hearings, file complaints and propose evidence in the accused's favour. Where possible, we negotiate an alternative to prosecution.

  4. Decision and invoice

    After the judgment we assess whether an appeal makes sense and file it within the statutory deadline. We invoice the fee agreed at the outset.

Worth knowing

Police detention of up to 48 hours

The police may detain a person for no more than 48 hours, or 96 hours for terrorism. They must then release the person or bring them before a court with a request for custody (Section 85 of the Slovak Code of Criminal Procedure). You have the right to remain silent and to ask for a lawyer.

Mandatory defence

A defence lawyer is required, for example, when the accused is in custody, is a juvenile or is charged with a serious crime carrying a maximum sentence of more than five years (Section 37 of the Code of Criminal Procedure). If the accused does not choose one, the court appoints one.

Misdemeanour and crime

Slovak law distinguishes a misdemeanour (an offence of negligence, or an intentional offence with a maximum sentence of up to five years) from a crime (an intentional offence with a maximum of more than five years) under Sections 10 and 11 of the Criminal Code. This affects which alternatives to prosecution are available.

Conditional discontinuance

For a misdemeanour, prosecution can be conditionally discontinued (Section 216 of the Code of Criminal Procedure) if the accused admits the offence and compensates the damage or reaches an agreement with the victim. If the conditions are met, no criminal record is created.

Related specialisations

Common questions

  • Ideally before the first step at which you are to give a statement as a suspect or accused. The lawyer will help you decide whether to give a statement or remain silent.

  • In some cases, yes. The Code of Criminal Procedure provides for conditional discontinuance (Section 216), settlement (Section 220) and, under certain conditions, plea agreements. These usually apply to misdemeanours and require, for example, an admission and compensation.

  • We agree the fee at the initial consultation based on the scope and complexity of the case. In cases of mandatory defence the court can appoint a lawyer. If you are acquitted, part of the costs is paid by the state.

  • Simple misdemeanours can be resolved within a few months, especially with an alternative to prosecution or a shortened investigation. Large cases, such as economic crime with extensive evidence, can take several years.

Related articles

Articles are in Slovak.

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This page is for general information, reflects Slovak law at the time of writing and is not a substitute for advice on your particular matter.