Access to a Lawyer for a Suspect at Early Stage of Criminal Proceedings and Its Participation in Investigative Acts

Abstract

This elaboration is dedicated to analysis of access to a lawyer for a suspect at the early stage of criminal proceedings in Polish criminal law in light of directive 2013/48/ EU. In particular, it emphasises the suspect’s right of access to a lawyer during the identity parade, confrontation and the reconstruction of the scene of a crime. It considers whether the applicable legal provisions of the Polish Code of Criminal Procedure ensure, above all, appropriate scope of the right of defence for the suspected person in view of the indicated evidentiary activities and whether this scope corresponds to the standards designated by European Union directive 2013/48/EU.