pre-trial emergency defence - gbv · pre-trial emergency defence assessing pre-trial access to...

Schriftenreihe der Vereinigung Osterreichischer Strafverteidigerlnnen

Band 16

Pre-trial Emergency Defence

Assessing pre-trial accessto legal advice

edited by

Assessor iuris Stefan Schumann

Dr. Karin Bruckmuller

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Richard Soyer

intersentia

R E C H T

Wien-Graz2012

Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgements 7

Stefan Schumann / Karin Bruckmuller / Richard Soyer

A. Research background and methodology 21

1. Basic presumption: the need for access to legal advice pre-trial 23

2. Research background: law in transition 23

2.1. Recent developments in the research countries 232.2. Recent ECtHR judgments on access to legal advice pre-trial 242.3. EU Roadmap for strengthening suspects' rights 25

3. Research scope and methodology 26

3.1. Factual and geographical scope of research 273.1.1. Geographical scope: Austria, Croatia, Germany,

and Slovenia 273.1.2. Factual scope: access to legal advice, other suspects'

rights pre-trial, and emergency defence lawyer schemes 273.2. Research methodology: legal research, empirical research

and legal comparison 283.3. Research team, partners and supporters 29Bibliography 30

Karin Bruckmuller / Zlata Durdevic / Stefan Schumann / Primoz Gorkic

B. Legal Report 33

Karin Bruckmuller

I. Austria 35

1. Introduction - the reform of the Criminal Procedure Code 35

2. An outline of Austrian criminal procedure 36

2.1. Stages of criminal procedure 362.2. Pre-trial proceedings 362.3. Pre-trial proceedings in numbers 372.4. Practical importance of pre-trial proceedings 37

3. Status of suspects and form of questioning 383.1. No suspect/ enquiry - informal questioning 383.2. Suspect according to law/ interrogation - formal interrogation 393.3. Challenges in practice 40

4. Access to legal assistance 40

4.1. Right to defence 404.2. Right to information 41

4.2.1. Issues of Information 41

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4.2.2. Time of information 414.2.3. Exception 424.2.4. Provision of information in practice 42

4.3. Right to information supported by the right to accessto the case file 43

4.4. Consultation with a defence lawyer 444.4.1. Pre-trial 45

4.4.1.1. First interrogation 454.4.1.2. Arrest 46

4.5. Translation 474.6. Informing a confidant 484.7. Notifying a consular agent 484.8. Support by Police 48

5. Legal Aid pre-trial 48

6. Emergency defence lawyer service 50

7. Sound recording or filming of the first interrogation 52

8. Enforcement of suspect's and defence rights 53

8.1. Exclusion of evidence 538.2. Remedies 54

8.2.1. Pre-trial 548.2.2. After the trial 55

9. Conclusions 55

Bibliography 56

Zlata Durdevic

II. Croatia 59

1. Introduction: an overview of the standing and rights of suspects 59

1.1. Origins and recent changes of the Croatian CPA 591.2. The structure of Croatian criminal procedure 611.3. Distinguishing suspects and defendants 631.4. Suspects' rights: an overview 63

2. Pre-trial procedure: statistics 64


3.1. The right to consult a defence lawyer 663.1.1. Pre-investigatory stage 663.1.2. During the investigation stage 67

3.2. Access to a defence lawyer in practice 673.2.1. Notices, translation and interpretation 683.2.2. Availability of a defence lawyer emergency service 68

4. Participative rights of defence lawyers 69

4.1. In the pre-investigatory stage 694.2. Investigation 69

5. Sound recording or filming of interviews 70

6. Legal aid 70

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7. Enforcement of suspects rights 707.1. Exclusion of evidence obtained in violation of these rights 707.2. Legal remedies 71

Bibliography 71

Stefan Schumann

III. Germany 73

1. Introduction: an overview on the standing of the suspect anddefence rights in German criminal procedure 73

1.1. Legal and institutional background of German CriminalProcedure 731.1.1. The applicable laws 74

1.1.1.1. Statutory and constitutional law 741.1.1.2. ECHRand EU law 741.1.1.3. Administrative instructions for public prosecutors

and police 761.1.2. Structure and approach of German criminal proceedings ....761.1.3. The standing of suspects in criminal proceedings 77

1.2. The pre-trial stage 801.2.1. The police, the public prosecutor and the judge pre-trial 801.2.2. Practical importance of pre-trial stage 81

1.2.2.1. Pre-trial stage as final stage of proceedings 821.2.2.2. Pre-trial stage determining the outcome of

the whole proceedings 84

2. Information on suspects' rights and access to legal advicein pre-trial proceedings 85

2.1. Informal questioning before criminal proceedings 862.2. Formal interrogation 87

2.2.1. Information on suspects' rights 872.2.1.1. Right to be informed of suspects' rights 872.2.1.2. Timing 882.2.1.3. Right to remain silent 89

2.2.2. Access to legal advice and participative rights of thedefence lawyer 892.2.2.1. Access to legal advice 892.2.2.2. Presence and participative rights of the defence

lawyer 912.2.3. Audio or video recording of interviews 92

2.3. Arrest/pre-trial detention and suspects' rights 922.3.1. Information on suspects' rights 93

2.3.1.1. Information on the reason for arrest and on thecharge 93

2.3.1.2. The right to be informed of suspects' rights 932.3.1.3. Mode and timing of information 94

2.3.2. Access to legal advice 942.4. Access to legal advice in practice 95

2.4.1. Mandatory defence as a legal aid substitute? 95

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2.4.1.1. Applicability of mandatory defence 952.4.1.2. Choice, timing and costs 96

2.4.2. Emergency defence lawyer services 97

3. Enforcement of suspect's and defence rights 98

4. Conclusions 99

Bibliography 100

Primoz Gorkic

IV. Slovenia 103

1. Introduction: an overview on the standing and rights ofsuspects 103

1.1. An outline of the Slovenian criminal procedure and issue ofterminology 103

1.2. The origins: CPA of 1967 1051.3. The suspect in the CPA of 1995 106

2. Pre-trial (police) procedure: statistics 108


3.1. Right to consult a defence lawyer (arrest and first interview) 1103.1.1. Arrest 1103.1.2. First interview 112

3.1.2.1. Informal questioning (Art. 148/VI CPA) 1153.1.2.2. Formal interview of the suspect (Art. 148a CPA)... 115

3.2. Access to a defence lawyer in practice 1163.2.1. Language 1163.2.2. Postponement of further investigation 1163.2.3. Notification of immediate family 1173.2.4. Contacting the consulate 1173.2.5. Police assistance 118

3.3. Emergency defence services? 118

4. Participative rights of defence lawyers 1194.1. First interview/questioning 1194.2. Consultations with the defence lawyer 1194.3. Questions and advice to the suspect 120

5. Sound recording or filming of informal questioning orinterviews: rules, practice and admissibility as evidence 121

5.1. Informal questioning 1215.2. Formal interviews 1225.3. Recordings as evidence 122

6. Legal aid: access to legal aid in pre-trial police procedure 122

7. Enforcement of a suspect's defence rights 123

7.1. Exclusion of evidence under Slovenian law: a brief overview 1237.2. Exclusion of evidence obtained in violation of suspects'

defence rights pre-trial 124

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7.2.1. Statements obtained prior to the granting ofprocedural rights 125

7.2.2. Statements obtained by informal questioning underarticle 148/VI CPA 125

7.2.3. Statements obtained by formal interview underarticle 148a CPA 125

7.3. Remedies for the violation of rights in criminal procedure 1267.3.1. Remedies prior to judgement 1267.3.2. Remedies after the judgement 127

8. Concluding remarks 127

Bibliography 128

Bernhard Klob / Jacques Huberty / Carlotta Pirnat / Christian Graft

C. Quantitative Report 131

I. Descriptive Statistics 133

1. Sample description and population demographics 137

2. Austria 139

2.1. Point in time "inquiry/ informal questioning" 1392.1.1. Information about the suspicion of a criminal act 1392.1.2. Information about suspects' rights 1392.1.3. Contact with the criminal defence lawyer 141

2.2. Point in time "immediately before the first official interrogation" 1422.2.1. Information about the suspicion of a criminal act 1422.2.2. Information about suspects' rights 1422.2.3. Contact with the criminal defence lawyer 144

2.3. Point in time "detention" 1452.3.1. Information about the suspicion of a criminal act 1452.3.2. Information about suspects' rights 1452.3.3. Contact with the criminal defence lawyer 147

2.4. Emergency defence lawyer service 1472.4.1. Establishment 1472.4.2. Usage 1482.4.3. Costs 149

2.5. Access to legal advice 1492.5.1. Before interrogation 1492.5.2. During interrogation 150

2.6. Audio and video recordings during interrogations 1542.7. Legal remedies 1562.8. Legal Aid 156

3. Germany 1583.1. Point in time "inquiry/informal questioning" 158

3.1.1. Information about the suspicion of a criminal act 1583.1.2. Information about suspects' rights 1593.1.3. Contact with the criminal defence lawyer 160

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3.5. Access to legal advice 1693.5.1. During interrogation 169


4. Croatia 1764.1. Point in time "inquiry/ informal questioning" 176







5. Slovenia 196

5.1. Point in time "inquiry/ informal questioning" 1965.1.1. Information about the suspicion of a criminal act 1965.1.2. Information about suspects' rights 1965.1.3. Contact with the criminal defence lawyer 198

5.2. Point in time "immediately before the first official interrogation" 1985.2.1. Information about the suspicion of a criminal act 1985.2.2. Information about suspects' rights 199

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5.2.3. Contact with the criminal defence lawyer 2005.3. Point in time "detention" 201





II. Hypotheses testing 213

1. Comparisons of stages, countries and occupational groups 2131.1. Model building 213

1.1.1. Stages of the pre-trial proceedings 2141.1.2. Countries 2151.1.3. Occupational Groups 217

1.2. Methods 2181.2.1. Data analysis 2181.2.2. Sample 2191.2.3. Scales of measurement and variables 219

1.3. Results 2191.3.1. Information about the offence 219

1.3.1.1. Model analysis 2201.3.1.2. Summary 223

1.3.2. Information about the facts of the case 2241.3.2.1. Model analysis 2251.3.2.2. Summary 227

1.3.3. Access to file 2281.3.3.1. Model analysis 2291.3.3.2. Summary 231

1.3.4. Information on the right to remain silent 2311.3.4.1. Model analysis 2321.3.4.2. Summary 235

1.3.5. Information about the nght to remain silent inmother tongue 2361.3.5.1. Model analysis 2361.3.5.2. Summary 238

1 3.6. Information on the right to remain silent incomprehensible language 2391.3.6.1. Model analysis 2401.3.6.2. Summary 241

1.3.7. Information about the nght to contact a lawyer 242

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1.3.7.1. Model analysis 2431.3.7.2. Summary 248

1.3.8. Information about the right to contact a lawyer in mothertongue 2481.3.8.1. Model analysis 2491.3.8.2. Summary 252

1.3.9. Information about right to contact a lawyer incomprehensible language 2521.3.9.1. Model analysis 2531.3.9.2. Summary 255

1.3.10. Consultation of defence lawyers 2561.3.10.1.Model analysis 2561.3.10.2.Summary 259

1.3.11. Phone consultation before waiver 2591.3.11.1.Model analysis 2601.3.11.2. Summary 262

1.3.12. Personal consultation before waiver 2621.3.12.1.Model analysis 2631.3.12.2.Summary 265

2. Influential factors on the consultation of defence lawyers at thedifferent stages 265

2.1. Model building 2652.2. Methods 267

2.2.1. Data analysis 2672.2.2. Sample 2672.2.3. Scales of measurement and variables 268

2.3. Results 2682.3.1. Inquiry/informal questioning 268

2.3.1.1. Model validation 2682.3.1.2. Results 2702.3.1.3. Summary 272

2.3.2. Before Interrogation 2722.3.2.1. Model validation 2722.3.2.2. Results 2742.3.2.3. Summary 276

2.3.3. Detention 2762.3.3.1. Model validation 2762.3.3.2. Results 2782.3.3.3. Summary 280

Karin Bruckmuller / Zoran Buric/Katrin Forstner / Lukas Gamlich/Primoz Gorkic I Stefan Schumann

D. Qualitative Report 281

Karin Bruckmuller / Stefan Schumann / Katrin Forstner / Lukas Gamlich

I. Austria 283

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1. Contact and consultation of a legal representative pre-trial -advantages for all persons involved 284

1.1. Advantages for the suspect 2841.2. Advantages for police, prosecutors and judges 2852. Infrequent participation of a defence lawyer pre trial - reasons 2862.1. Underestimating the situation 2862.2. Expense factor 2872.3. Category of offence 2872.4. Suspects' experiences of the police 2872.5. Situation with the police and public prosecutor 2883. Lack of or inadequate information 288

3.1. No proper information 2893.2. No possibility of contacting a lawyer 2893.3. Information is not understandable 2893.4. Suspects unsure whether a lawyer would be able to help 2893.5. Potential police influence? 290

4. Improvements of access to legal advice (and theemergency service) 291

4.1. Stationary lawyers? 2914.2. Reduction of costs 2914.3. Information provided by the lawyer 2924.4. Clear information and letter of rights 2924.5. Prohibition on the use of evidence 292

5. Improvements to the emergency defence service 2935.1. Better and direct remuneration for lawyers 2935.2. Publicity 2935.3. Better supply in rural areas 2945.4. Comprehensible information 294

6. Ensuring the quality of legal advice 2946.1. Highly qualified and specialised defence lawyers 2946.2. High quality of mandatory defence and legal aid 2956.3. High quality of interpreters 2956.4. Audiovisual recording 296

7. Conclusion 297

Zoran Buric

II. Croatia 299

1. Introduction 299

2. Presence of a defence lawyer during police interview - why isit not used in practice? 299

3. Emergency lawyer schemes - do they exist in Croatia? 302

3.1. At the police station 3023.2. Before the investigating judge 303

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4. Concluding remarks 304

Stefan Schumann I Katrin Forstner

III. Germany 305

1. Introduction 3051.1. Sample description 3051.2. Interview focus 306

2. Findings 3072.1. Consultation of defence lawyers pre-trial 307

2.1.1. Nature or severity of crime 3072.1.2. Suspects' status and awareness 3072.1.3. Police behaviour and conduct 3092.1.4. Costs of a defence lawyer 310

2.2. The practical importance of emergency defence lawyerservices 310

2.3. Recommendations on how to improve emergency defencelawyer services 312

2.4. Recommendations on how to improve legal representationpre-trial 313

2.5. Other important issues 315

3. Conclusions 318

Bibliography 318

Primoz Gorkic

IV. Slovenia 319

1. Introducing the problem: the decision (not) to obtain a defencelawyer 319

1.1. Benefits of a "Miranda warning" 3191.2. Rate of representation 319

2. Factors affecting access to legal advice: previous studies 3212.1. Research in Slovenia 3212.2. Research abroad 3222.3. Summing up: factors determining suspect's decision to seek

legal advice 323

3. The method: interviews 323

4. Interview reports 325

4.1. Interview report no. 1 (assistant to public prosecutor) 3254.2. Interview report no. 2 (currently defence lawyer, former judge

and prosecutor) 3264.3. Interview report no. 3 (defence lawyer) 3264.4. Interview report no. 4 (currently police investigator, former

assistant to prosecutor) 3274.5. Interview report no. 5 (public prosecutor) 3284.6. Interview report no. 6 (professor of law) 329

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4.7. Interview report no. 7 (currently judge, former policeinvestigator) 330

4.8. Interview report no. 8 (police investigator) 3304.9. Interview report no. 9 (currently defence lawyer, former public

prosecutor) 3314.10. Interview report no. 10 (currently assistant to public prosecutor,

former police investigator) 3324.11. Interview report no. 11 (police investigator) 3334.12. Interview report no. 12 (defence lawyer) 3344.13. Interview report no. 13 (judge) 3354.14. Interview report no. 14 (defence lawyer, former public

prosecutor) 3364.15. Interview report no. 15 (defence lawyer) 3374.16. Interview report no. 16 (defence lawyer) 338

5. Factors determining the rate of representation by adefence lawyer 339

5.1. Overview of factors, reported by the interviewees 3395.2. Analysis, interpretation 345

5.2.1. Institutional factors 3455.2.1.1. Police conduct: improper influence 3455.2.1.2. Police conduct: intensifying the investigation 3465.2.1.3. Police conduct: insufficient information on facts

and nature of the offence 3465.2.1.4. Police conduct: taping of interviews 347

5.2.2. Suspects 3475.2.2.1. Money 3475.2.2.2. Type of offence 3485.2.2.3. "I did nothing wrong" 3485.2.2.4. "Who should I contact?" 348

5.2.3. Bottom line: relaxed pre-trial procedure, relaxed(first-time) suspects? 348

6. Establishing an emergency defence service: Slovenianperspective 349

Bibliography 350

Stefan Schumann / Karin Bruckmuller / Richard Soyer

E. General report, conclusions andrecommendations 351

1. Basic facts on pre-trial stage 3541.1. Practical importance of pre-trial proceedings 354

1.1.1. Pre-trial stage as final stage of proceedings 3541.1.2. Pre-trial stage determining the outcome of the whole

proceedings 3541.2. Police dominating (ordinary) pre-trial proceedings 3551.3. Standing of suspects and access to suspects' rights pre-trial 3561.4. Conclusions 357

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2. Access to legal advice pre-trial 357

2.1. The legal situation: the right to access legal advice andthe right to information 3572.1.1. Distinguishing informal questioning and formal police

interrogation 3572.1.2. Before and during police interrogation 3582.1.3. Arrest / pre-trial detention 359

2.2. The information on the right to access legal advice in practice 3612.2.1. The "Whether" of the instruction 3612.2.2. The "How" of the instruction 361

2.3. Supporting access to legal advice - Emergency defencelawyer services 362

2.4. Access to legal advice pre-trial in practice 3632.5. Factors influential on access to legal advice 365

2.5.1. How we identified influencing factors 3652.5.2. Legislative decisions 3652.5.3. The information on the right to access to legal advice 366

2.5.3.1. The correlation between the information andthe actual access to legal advice 366

2.5.3.2. Three questions on the informationarrangement: What? How? When? 366

2.5.4. The existence of an emergency defence lawyer service.... 3682.5.5. Suspects underestimating pre-trial proceedings 3692.5.6. Costs of involvement 3692.5.7. Type and severity of the accusation and investigative

measures and social and professional status of thesuspect 370

2.5.8. Previous experiences with the law enforcement agencies.... 3702.6. Conclusions 371

3. Summary conclusions 371

4. Recommendations 372

4.1. The information on the right to access legal advice has toprovided as follows 3724.1.1. Timing 3724.1.2. Manner 3724.1.3. Benchmark 373

4.2. Access to a lawyer should be facilitated as follows 3734.2.1. Timing 3734.2.2. Manner 3734.2.3. Benchmark 373

4.3. Emergency defence lawyer services have to be providedas follows 373Benchmark 374

4.4. A waiver of the right to access to legal advice in order to beeffective has to meet the following standards 374

Bibliography 374

Authors and Contributors 375

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