Criminal defense attorney services in Kyiv

Criminal defense attorney services

It is no secret that criminal cases, more than others, are a field where all kinds of human rights violations occur — violations which a criminal defense attorney, fulfilling his professional duty, must guard against. When faced with an unforeseen situation it is difficult not to be confused, and if there is a criminal aspect to it, it is almost impossible to remain calm. Most often confusion arises from ignorance and misunderstanding of legal processes, which is why you should seek professional help and obtain the services of a criminal lawyer without delay.

The opening of a criminal case is stressful not only for the suspect but also for his relatives. You should never fall into despair, because a person who makes defending your interests his profession and devotes himself entirely to it is ready to come to your aid. The suspect and the criminal lawyer will jointly determine the line of defense, which means the criminal attorney will promptly inform his client of any changes occurring in the course of the proceedings.

There is another aspect that makes it important to order the assistance of a criminal lawyer as soon as possible. The internal affairs bodies operate a chain system, which means that if an investigator finds even the slightest reason to open another criminal case against a suspect, he will not miss that opportunity. A good lawyer, for whom criminal law is not just a word, will timely stand up for the interests of his client and be able to prevent such a situation from arising.

The best criminal lawyers of the legal association “Nakaz” will provide you with qualified assistance and defense in the situation that has arisen. An experienced criminal lawyer can restore your composure, instill confidence and faith in the future. Who, if not a criminal lawyer defending your interests, can carefully listen to all arguments and answer the questions that constantly arise and cause concern. The verdict issued in a criminal case is extremely important both for the suspect and for the victim. Therefore, the services of a criminal lawyer provided at the stage of preparing the case for court consideration, during defense in the case, for example, when it becomes necessary to appeal the sentence, and in other moments, cannot be overestimated.

A criminal lawyer’s consultation can be conducted without any time limits. A lawyer in criminal proceedings has the right to participate in all actions carried out by the investigation and even to engage in evidence collection.

If you want your interests in court to be represented by an impartial criminal lawyer whom you can trust unconditionally, look for one yourself or entrust this to your relatives. Do not delay the situation until the defense in the criminal case is appointed by the investigator.

A criminal defense attorney is not just your main assistant; he is a person who bears immense responsibility. The outcome of the case — whether the defendant will be acquitted or what sentence he will receive if found guilty — depends on how successfully the defense is conducted in court.

Services of Nakaz Legal Association’s lawyers

The best criminal lawyer provided by the legal association “Nakaz” can provide the following services:

• Initial consultation with a criminal lawyer at the first stage of contact. The specialist will thoroughly analyze the situation, study the case materials available at the time of contact and explain the possible variants of its development. Depending on the complexity of the case, a preliminary cost for criminal lawyer services will also be discussed.
• Legal consultation on criminal matters will accompany the accused at every stage of the investigation. The criminal lawyer representing the client’s interests will be present at interrogations, investigative experiments, confrontations, searches and other actions involving the accused.
• The best criminal lawyers of the “Nakaz” firm will conduct their own investigation of all circumstances of the case, collect the necessary evidence that will help mitigate the client’s guilt or prove his innocence.
• Our specialist will defend his client in court, using all his professionalism and experience, striving for acquittal in case of innocence and for a fair sentence that takes into account mitigating circumstances presented by the lawyer when proving guilt.
• Assistance from a criminal lawyer will also be provided to the client after the sentence is handed down when preparing appellate or cassation complaints.

Defending the interests of a defendant in criminal cases requires the highest level of qualification from a lawyer in Kyiv. Making even a single mistake in criminal proceedings can end very badly for the defendant.

Nuances of Ukrainian legislation

At the end of 2012 the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a new edition of the Criminal Procedure Code. Among the innovations of the document, first of all it is necessary to highlight the requirement that significantly narrowed the circle of persons who can provide legal assistance and act as defenders of the suspect. Thus, Article 45 of the CPC states that now only advocates (attorneys) may act as defenders. Such specialists must also be registered in the Register of Advocates of Ukraine.

At the same time a criminal lawyer has fairly broad powers:

• he has access to meetings with the client (in an unlimited number);
• collects the necessary evidence, and if necessary files requests to various institutions demanding to provide information needed for the case;
• engages various specialists to clarify different documents;
• is present when charges are presented;
• participates during interrogations involving his client;
• criminal defense implies that the defender may also familiarize himself with all case materials, file motions, write complaints and challenges;
• participates in court proceedings at all instances;
• uses other means to protect the client.

Of course, the law does not prohibit a citizen against whom a criminal case has been opened from defending his rights independently. But such a risk is hard to justify. First, a person without knowledge of the law will not be able to properly defend himself. Second, the very fact that you are accused of a crime is very unsettling, and you are unlikely to be able to adequately plan your behavior. Our criminal lawyers in Kyiv are high-level specialists who can always act in defense in any criminal cases.

Who may need the help of a criminal lawyer?

The following persons have the right to seek the assistance of a criminal lawyer:

• witnesses of offenses and criminal acts;
• victims of criminal acts;
• persons detained by law enforcement officers;
• persons suspected of violating criminal law, those under investigation, or citizens whose case is already before the court.

Even witnesses may seek legal assistance. After all, the court has the right to bring citizens to responsibility after giving testimony. Witnesses, out of ignorance of their duties, harm themselves. During interrogation it is important to observe procedure so that the information given carries weight in the court case.

Victims often face a reluctance of investigative bodies to respond to their appeals or to open a case. A lawyer will help defend interests when determining material or moral damage from the crime.

Suspects or detained persons may invite a defender at any stage of the criminal process. The wide powers of a lawyer will help collect confirmations and prove the client’s innocence.

Main stages of criminal proceedings

A lawyer can assist at all stages of criminal proceedings:

• Pre-trial investigation – studying the case materials, becoming familiar with the alleged offenses, participating in the presentation of suspicion, obtaining explanations from the suspect, developing a strategy of conduct and defense tactics.
• Court – representing the client’s interests, advising the accused, collecting evidence of innocence, visiting the client in the detention facility, initiating expert examinations, confronting the prosecutor’s accusations.
• Hearing the criminal case – participating in court sessions, calling witnesses to testify, attaching evidence to the case, reviewing the session protocol and making remarks, objecting to unlawful actions and statements of the prosecutor, judge and prosecution counsel, filing recusals with the court.
• Appealing the sentence – reviewing the issued sentence, drafting and filing cassation claims, defending the client in the appellate or Supreme Court, examining the evidentiary base of the criminal case, determining the legal grounds for appealing the sentence.
• Enforcement of the court’s sentence – protecting the rights of the convicted, participating in decisions regarding the place of serving the sentence, motions for early release, mitigation of the type of punishment, conditional serving of the sentence, expungement or removal of a criminal record.

Who and when can a criminal lawyer be engaged?

Any citizen can exercise the right to a lawyer who will defend his interests in court. If the suspect did not exercise the constitutional right to a defender, the suspect’s relatives may engage a lawyer.

A lawyer may be invited by employees of state services, social sphere workers, or members of civic organizations.

The investigator and the court are obliged to appoint a free criminal lawyer in the prescribed manner:

• a lawyer must be present when especially serious crimes are being considered;
• when minors are accused;
• if the accused has mental or physical disabilities;
• if the suspect does not speak Ukrainian;
• if the detainee cannot pay for a lawyer’s services;
• if the investigator, prosecutor or judge consider the participation of a lawyer necessary at the hearing.

One suspect may engage up to 5 lawyers who will collect evidence and defend his innocence. It is advisable to use an independent defender: do not follow the prosecutor’s recommendations when choosing a lawyer.

If during investigative actions the accused is asked to waive the presence of a lawyer, there is no reason to agree and weaken your position before the prosecution. A lawyer must be present at all stages of investigative actions.

 

Possibility to refuse a criminal lawyer

A lawyer must represent the interests of his client and direct his actions toward acquittal or mitigation of the client’s guilt. A criminal lawyer must coordinate his actions and words with the suspect. The defender does not have the right to say anything that the client categorically denies.

If the suspect disagrees with the strategy of his defender, he has the right to refuse the lawyer without explaining the reason and choose another. It is possible to refuse the defender only after the latter has been engaged and has participated in the course of the investigation. The refusal is recorded in the protocol of the procedural action.

A lawyer may refuse to take the case if:

• the client evades fulfilling the terms of the agreement, does not follow the defender’s recommendations;
• circumstances have arisen that prevent representing the client (conflicting with personal interests, family interests or the interests of persons previously defended);
• the suspect disagrees with the defense line;
• there is insufficient qualification to provide quality legal assistance in the case.

At the same time the lawyer should notify and agree his decision with the client.

Main principles of our work

The legal association “Nakaz” guarantees you absolute confidentiality and compliance with all ethical and legal norms. You can be confident that any consultation with a criminal lawyer will be provided at a high level. A competent approach to any stage of the case, from drafting defense tactics to their implementation, and reasonable criminal lawyer fees are the main principles of our association’s activities.

We fully understand that legal problems can arise at any time, which is why our criminal lawyers are ready to assist the client when he needs it. We take an individual approach to each client. Every new case is a new tactic for building a defense, where every nuance is worked out and no detail of the case is overlooked. We also take an individual approach to payment for the services provided by a criminal lawyer. Prices depend on many factors: the complexity of the case, the expected result, the scope of work required, and others. We are understanding of the financial situation of those who contact us and offer various payment options for legal services, from which you can choose the one that suits you best.