Criminal defense and victim representation
From the first police statement to appeal and cassation, we handle criminal files in Istanbul, most of them at the Anatolian Courthouse in Kartal, for suspects, defendants and victims.
Criminal law defines offenses and their sanctions; criminal procedure governs how investigations and trials are conducted. In a criminal file, what is said in the first statement, which evidence is or is not collected and whether deadlines are met will shape every later stage. That is why, once the police or the public prosecutor calls you in for a statement, it is usually sensible to go over the file with a lawyer first.
Our office is in Üsküdar, and most criminal cases on the Asian side of Istanbul are heard at the Istanbul Anatolian Courthouse (Anadolu Adliyesi) in Kartal. As defense counsel (müdafi) we attend statements and interrogations, object to detention and judicial control orders, and conduct the defense before criminal courts of first instance (asliye ceza) and high criminal courts (ağır ceza). If you are the victim, we prepare the criminal complaint, follow the case as counsel for the intervening party (katılan) and challenge non-prosecution decisions (kovuşturmaya yer olmadığına dair karar, commonly called takipsizlik).
In criminal cases the consequences of a decision matter as much as the decision itself. Deferral of the announcement of the verdict (HAGB), suspended sentences, alternative sanctions, victim-offender reconciliation (uzlaştırma) and pre-payment (ön ödeme) all directly affect a person's criminal record, job and daily life. After a judgment becomes final, we also advise on enforcement, conditional release, probation (denetimli serbestlik) and the deletion of criminal record entries.
Turkish criminal and enforcement legislation has changed frequently in recent years; Article 231 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CMK), which governs HAGB, was rewritten by Law No. 7589 in July 2026. We therefore assess your file under the rules that actually apply to it, not under older information you may find online.
When you may need this
- You have been called in for a statement by the police or the prosecutor, by phone or by official notice, and are unsure what to say.
- A family member has been taken into custody or detained, and you want to challenge the detention or judicial control order.
- An indictment has been filed against you and you have received a hearing summons from a criminal court.
- You are the victim of fraud, threats, insults, blackmail or assault and want to file a complaint.
- The prosecutor issued a non-prosecution decision on your complaint and you are considering an objection.
- A deferred verdict (HAGB) was issued against you and you want to understand the supervision period and its effect on your record or work.
- You are looking for information on serving a final sentence, probation or deleting a criminal record entry.
How the process works
- 01
Initial meeting and file review
We go over the events and any notices or documents you have received. Unless access to the file is restricted, we review the investigation file under a power of attorney and clarify the accusation and the evidence.
- 02
Statements and interrogation
We attend your statement at the police station, the prosecutor's office or before the criminal judgeship of peace (sulh ceza hâkimliği). We make sure the rights under CMK Article 147, including the right to remain silent, to request evidence in your favor and to legal assistance, are actually exercised.
- 03
Objections to protective measures
We file reasoned objections to detention, judicial control and seizure orders within the two-week objection period. While detention continues, we follow the periodic reviews and requests for release.
- 04
Trial and hearings
We prepare the defense against the indictment, request evidence such as witness testimony or expert examination, and attend the hearings. For offenses eligible for reconciliation or pre-payment, we explain what those routes would mean for you.
- 05
Appeals and enforcement
We file appeals (istinaf) and cassation appeals (temyiz) within two weeks of service of the reasoned judgment. Once a judgment is final, we advise on sentence calculation, conditional release and probation.
Services in this area
- Defense counsel at statements and interrogations (police, prosecutor, criminal judgeship of peace)01
- Objections to detention, judicial control and seizure orders02
- Defense before criminal courts of first instance and high criminal courts03
- Criminal complaints and representation of complainants and intervening parties04
- Objections to non-prosecution decisions05
- Advice on reconciliation (uzlaştırma) and pre-payment (ön ödeme)06
- Appeal (istinaf) and cassation (temyiz) applications07
- Sentence enforcement, conditional release and probation matters08
- Requests to delete criminal record and archive entries09
Documents worth bringing
- Identity document (passport or residence permit for foreign nationals)
- Any notice, summons, indictment or hearing invitation you have received
- Previous statement records and any custody, detention or judicial control decisions
- Messages, emails, screenshots, photos and videos related to the events, kept unaltered on the original device
- If you are the victim, medical reports, bank receipts or account statements showing the harm
- Names and contact details of possible witnesses
- Decisions from any earlier criminal cases and your criminal record certificate
How fees and costs are determined
Legal fees are agreed in a written fee agreement based on the stage of the file, the type of offense, the competent court and the expected workload. The Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) publishes the Minimum Attorney Fee Tariff (AAÜT) every year, and under Article 164 of the Attorneys' Act No. 1136 a fee below that tariff cannot be agreed. The current tariff is published in the Official Gazette and on the TBB website. If a suspect or defendant cannot appoint a lawyer, the fee of the lawyer assigned by the bar association is paid by the State.
There is no filing fee in criminal cases. Costs such as service of documents, expert and witness expenses are generally charged to the defendant on conviction and borne by the Treasury on acquittal. An acquitted defendant who was represented by a lawyer is awarded attorney fees under the AAÜT against the Treasury; on conviction, an intervening party represented by a lawyer is awarded attorney fees against the defendant. If an objection to a non-prosecution decision is rejected, the objecting party may be ordered to pay the costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Turkey?
It depends on the stage of the file, the offense and the court, and is set out in a written agreement. The floor is the Minimum Attorney Fee Tariff (AAÜT) published each year by the TBB, which sets separate amounts for investigations, criminal courts of first instance and high criminal courts. After hearing about your file, we explain the scope of work and the fee in writing.
I have been called in for a statement. Can I go without a lawyer?
Yes. Having a lawyer present is a right, and as a rule not an obligation. A lawyer is mandatory for children, people unable to defend themselves and offenses carrying a minimum sentence of more than five years; if you cannot choose one, the bar association will assign a lawyer on request. If you are called in as a suspect, knowing the accusation and the evidence before you speak, and knowing that you may remain silent, protects you.
What is the deadline to object to a non-prosecution decision?
The victim can object within two weeks of being served with the decision (CMK Article 173). The objection goes to the criminal judgeship of peace located where the high criminal court of the prosecutor's district sits, and it must set out the facts and evidence that justify a prosecution. If the objection is rejected, the objecting party may be ordered to pay the costs.
What is HAGB, and does it appear on my criminal record?
HAGB (deferral of the announcement of the verdict) means the court does not announce a sentence of two years' imprisonment or less, or a judicial fine, if conditions are met, such as no prior conviction for an intentional offense and full compensation of the harm. The defendant is placed under a five-year supervision period; if no new intentional offense is committed and the obligations are met, the case is dismissed. HAGB decisions are not entered in the criminal record but in a separate system visible only to judicial authorities, and they can be appealed (istinaf).
How long does an objection to detention take?
An objection can be filed within two weeks of learning of the detention order. If the judge who ordered it does not accept the objection, it must be sent to the reviewing authority within three days at most, which decides as quickly as possible under the law. During the investigation, detention is reviewed at least every thirty days, and a request for release can be made at any time.
How long does a criminal case take in Turkey?
It depends on the case. A file with clear evidence may be concluded in a few hearings before a criminal court of first instance, while cases needing expert reports or involving several defendants take longer, and appeal stages come on top. Cases with detained defendants are given priority.
Is a "high criminal court lawyer" a separate title?
No. High criminal courts (ağır ceza) hear offenses punishable by more than ten years' imprisonment, and these cases are handled by lawyers practicing criminal law like any other criminal case. Because the stakes are higher, planning the defense from the investigation stage matters even more.
This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Every legal matter has its own circumstances; please request a meeting for your specific situation.
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