When a crime has been committed, it is investigated by a preliminary investigation supervisor, whose task it is to determine whether or not a person is suspected of having committed the offence.
Public defence counsel
As a suspect you are in certain cases entitled to a public defence counsel. You are entitled to this counsel either during the preliminary investigation stage or during the trial, if there is one.
You are entitled to the services of a public defence counsel if you need one bearing in mind the nature of the criminal investigation, if you risk being sentenced to a sanction other than a fine or conditional sentence or if there is some special reason as a result of the case or your personal situation.
If you require a public defence counsel during the preliminary investigation, you should contact the prosecutor, who is the preliminary investigation supervisor for serious crimes.
The supervisor will raise the matter with the court. It is then the duty of the court to decide on whether or not to appoint a public defence counsel. If a prosecution has already been initiated, you can consult the court directly regarding the appointment of a public defence counsel during the trial.
During the course of the trial, the court decides on how large a proportion of the defence costs the suspect should be expected to pay.
Final serving
Once the preliminary investigation has been completed, the person who is suspected of having committed the offence is informed of its outcome. The suspect is entitled to examine the material and to request the police to conduct any further investigation measures he or she may consider to be necessary.
The preliminary investigation supervisor decides whether or not these measures can be carried out. If agreement cannot be reached, the district court will decide on the matter.