Summary of criminal proceedings
The following is a summary of the standard stages in criminal proceedings:
- Launching of criminal proceedings
- Pre-trial proceedings or investigation
- Access to the criminal file and hearing of applications
- Charging
- Pre-trial proceedings in court
- Court hearing
- Judgment
- Appeals proceedings (in courts of second and third instance)
- Execution of the judgment
The factsheets give details about these stages of the process and about your rights. This information is not a substitute for legal advice and is intended to be for guidance only.
The role of the European Commission
Please note that the European Commission has no role in criminal proceedings carried out in Member States and cannot assist you if you have a complaint. These factsheets provide information on how and to whom complaints should be submitted.
Click on the links below to find the information that you need
2 – My rights during the investigation of the crime
- Launching of criminal proceedings
- Detention and arrest
- Interrogation and the gathering of evidence
- Access to the criminal file, hearing of applications and charging
- Additional information for non-residents
3 – My rights during the trial