Summary of the criminal process
The following is a summary of the normal stages in the criminal process.
- Criminal investigation
- Consideration of charges and the prosecutor’s other decisions
- Trial in court
- Enforcement of the sentence
Details about all of these stages in the process and about your rights can be found in the factsheets. This information is not a substitute for legal advice and is intended to be for guidance only.
Role of the European Commission
Please note that the European Commission has no role in criminal proceedings in Member States and cannot assist you if you have a complaint. Information is provided in these factsheets about how to complain and to whom.
Click on the links below to find the information that you need
2 – My rights during the investigation of a crime
- Questioning
- Arrest
- First court hearing
- Before the main hearing
- Complaining about police actions
- Linguistic rights
3 – My rights during the trial
4 – My rights after the court has made its decision