Suspect of a crime
Extensive experience in helping clients in connection with criminal cases
Suspected of a crime in Gothenburg and Kungsbacka
The district court can appoint a public defender for you if you are suspected of a crime. In this role, the defence lawyer will assist you in all matters relating to the criminal case and will represent you in the event of a trial. In formal terms, the defence lawyer must ‘zealously defend your rights and, to this end, promote the proper investigation of the case’. If you find yourself in the position of being assigned a public defender, you have the right to propose the lawyer you wish to have represent you.
At Advokatfirman Glimstedt’s offices in Gothenburg and Kungsbacka, we have extensive experience of helping our clients with criminal cases.
We have extensive experience in helping clients with criminal cases
The role of the defence lawyer
The primary responsibility of the defence lawyer is to ensure that you receive fair treatment throughout the investigation process and during the trial. We always strive to ensure that our clients’ rights are respected by the police, prosecutors, and the court. This involves ensuring that their conduct is fair and appropriate, as well as taking investigative actions to support our clients’ best interests.
Firstly, the defence lawyer must therefore ensure that the police, prosecutors and courts are not guilty of misconduct in their treatment of the suspect. This is particularly important when it comes to measures that restrict a person’s rights and freedoms.
Secondly, the defence lawyer must review the investigative material produced by the police and the prosecution. It is also the task of the defence lawyer to take advantage of opportunities to attend interrogations during the preliminary investigation and to initiate investigative measures.
If you are a criminal suspect, you always have the right to request that your defence lawyer be present when being interrogated by the police. Should it be the case that your appointed defence lawyer is prevented from participating in a specific interrogation, we at Advokatfirman Glimstedt will ensure that a colleague assists you on the occasion. You are never left alone when you want counsel at an interrogation.
Economic crime
Economic crime does not exist as a separate section in the Penal Code. Instead, it is an umbrella term for several different types of offences. Many of these offences are committed in companies or businesses.
The two most common types of economic offences are tax offences and accounting offences. Financial offences are often detected by the tax authorities, bankruptcy trustees or others who audit companies’ accounts and transactions. Other offences may have to do with the financial market. Unlike traditional crime, in financial crime it is often not clear that a crime has been committed. There may be a person who can be linked to the offence being investigated, but the crucial question is whether the act constitutes an offence. One of the characteristics of economic crimes is that criminal liability often depends on civil or tax law rules. Distinguishing legal from illegal offences can often be very difficult.
Advokatfirman Glimstedt has extensive experience of such defence assignments and has participated in many trials in this area. The lawyers at the firm have previous experience of investigating this type of offence as bankruptcy administrators.
We help you assert your rights
Right to a public defence lawyer
If the suspect is arrested or in custody, a public defence lawyer must be appointed if he or she so requests. A public defence lawyer must also be appointed at the request of a suspect of an offence for which the penalty is not less than six months’ imprisonment.
In addition, a public defence lawyer must be appointed if the suspect needs one considering the investigation of the crime. A defence lawyer is also needed if there are special reasons for this considering the suspect’s personal circumstances or the nature of the case. If the suspect is under 18, a public defence lawyer must (almost) always be appointed.
If you are suspected of a crime, remember this
- The court will decide whether you are entitled to a public defence lawyer.
- Make use of your right to a defence lawyer and the opportunity to suggest who should represent you.
- You can always hire a defence lawyer at your own expense.
The court will decide whether you are entitled to a public defence lawyer. In the case of more serious suspicions, you can assume that a public defence lawyer will be appointed.
Take advantage of your opportunity to get a public defence lawyer and remember that you have the right to suggest who should represent you. At Advokatfirman Glimstedt, we recommend that you do so as soon as you are notified of suspicion of a criminal offence to be able to have your rights met.
Right to a private defence lawyer
You always have an unconditional right to hire a private defence lawyer. The private defence lawyer has the same mandate as the public one, but the state will only pay the costs of the lawyer if you are acquitted. If you are convicted of the offence, you will have to bear the costs yourself.
In many cases, a minor offence or fine may be anything but minor for you as a private person. Your business may be dependent on certain licences, or you may be looking for work where you need to have no criminal record. You may simply not want to be convicted of an offence you did not commit. Whatever the reason, you are always welcome to contact us for a meeting and a consultation.
Hire a private defence lawyer right away, even before you are questioned by the police. You always have the right to have a defence lawyer present when you are questioned. Should the police want or even demand to question you anyway, you always have the right to remain silent and do not have to speak until you have consulted a defence lawyer. Your silence before consulting your defence lawyer cannot be held against you in any court proceedings. Contact us if you want to know more about the costs of private defence lawyers.
Do you have questions about criminal cases?
We have extensive experience in criminal cases and represent both people suspected of committing a criminal offence and victims of crime. Whatever your situation, we put you at the centre of attention, focus on understanding your circumstances and treat you with respect.
With broad legal expertise in criminal law, we at Advokatfirman Glimstedt help you if you have been involved in a criminal case.
Our Expert Lawyers in criminal law – Gothenburg and Kungsbacka
Martin Wahlin
Cornelia Sundberg
Advokatfirman Glimstedt has eleven offices in Sweden and three in the Baltic States. Visit www.glimstedt.se to learn more about our entire business.