As a victim of crime, the law gives you certain individual rights before, during and after the criminal proceedings (trial).
You will be informed of these rights by the Police or the Public Prosecutor's Office.
You will have the following rights, among others, from the moment you file the complaint and throughout the criminal proceedings:
- To use a language that you understand, or to use an interpreter if you are making a complaint to the Police;
- To receive a copy of your complaint, and any other supporting documents you have submitted to support it, free of charge;
- To obtain acknowledgement that your complaint has been received and to be automatically informed if the case is closed and the grounds for doing so;
- To be informed of the outcome of proceedings if a judicial investigation is undertaken on the basis of the facts;
- To be automatically informed by the Public Prosecutor's Office of the hearing date for your case;
- To receive information on any final decisions taken with regard to action by the authorities.
The Police and the courts are required to offer you protection in the event you suffer threats or acts of retaliation from the perpetrator, among others. This protection must be available from the start and for the full duration of the investigation.
Victims who are minors receive particular protection. If you are a minor, you have certain additional rights.
If you do not have sufficient resources to access the justice system, you are entitled to full, free legal aid to defend your interests.
Every victim has the right to bring civil proceedings.