Criminal law

Criminal law

The main profile of my office is criminal law

This is perhaps the most exciting area of law: we always have to look at an unusual, extraordinary life situation. My reasons for becoming a lawyer were both professional and human. Although I had previously been involved in the judiciary, it became clear very early on that fair and just decision making in the classical sense is very often impossible in criminal cases.

The average person, in whatever capacity (either as accused or as victim), becomes involved in criminal proceedings, can be extremely vulnerable on his or her own, and without help or strategy, can only drift. His fate depends solely on the goodwill of the public authorities, the investigating authority, the prosecution, the court, and the better or worse decisions of the court. And yet this decision can carry a lot of weight. Your freedom as a victim and your property as a victim may depend on the decision taken.

In criminal proceedings, the lawyer is the only one who is impartial, and his duty is to use all legal means in the interests of his client. I am convinced that, on the basis of this bias and the relationship of trust, the lawyer often has a fuller picture of what is really going on than the authorities and can intervene effectively in the proceedings on that basis.

In general, the work of a criminal lawyer can be divided into two broad categories: in some cases I act as a defence attorney on the side of the suspect or accused, in other cases I act as a victim’s representative on the side of the victim. The criminal defence lawyer and his client always define the objectives together: it can be acquittal, but it can also be the preservation of liberty, a light sentence, or the achievement of benefits in the area of collateral matters (e.g. costs, confiscation of property, etc.).

As the victim’s legal representative, it may be possible to pursue the victim’s claim for damages already during the criminal proceedings (without a separate civil action), in other cases the lawyer acting on the victim’s side can successfully support the investigating authority’s work and ensure that the assets used to satisfy the claim are secured and do not “disappear”.

Perhaps the biggest mistake that can be made in criminal proceedings, whatever the position, is not to consult an expert. Developing the right defence/prosecution strategy can easily lead to success, and failing to do so can lead to unforeseeable consequences. It may seem cliché, but it is not only what you say, but when, to whom and especially how you say it that can make the difference. Anyone who has practised criminal law has, on many occasions, encountered the situation where someone has made a statement before seeking the advice of a criminal lawyer and then, unfortunately, regretted it.

This is perhaps the most exciting area of law: we always have to look at an unusual, extraordinary life situation. My reasons for becoming a lawyer were both professional and human. Although I had previously been involved in the judiciary, it became clear very early on that fair and just decision making in the classical sense is very often impossible in criminal cases.

The average person, in whatever capacity (either as accused or as victim), becomes involved in criminal proceedings, can be extremely vulnerable on his or her own, and without help or strategy, can only drift. His fate depends solely on the goodwill of the public authorities, the investigating authority, the prosecution, the court, and the better or worse decisions of the court. And yet this decision can carry a lot of weight. Your freedom as a victim and your property as a victim may depend on the decision taken.

In criminal proceedings, the lawyer is the only one who is impartial, and his duty is to use all legal means in the interests of his client. I am convinced that, on the basis of this bias and the relationship of trust, the lawyer often has a fuller picture of what is really going on than the authorities and can intervene effectively in the proceedings on that basis. 

In general, the work of a criminal lawyer can be divided into two broad categories: in some cases I act as a defence attorney on the side of the suspect or accused, in other cases I act as a victim’s representative on the side of the victim. The criminal defence lawyer and his client always define the objectives together: it can be acquittal, but it can also be the preservation of liberty, a light sentence, or the achievement of benefits in the area of collateral matters (e.g. costs, confiscation of property, etc.).

As the victim’s legal representative, it may be possible to pursue the victim’s claim for damages already during the criminal proceedings (without a separate civil action), in other cases the lawyer acting on the victim’s side can successfully support the investigating authority’s work and ensure that the assets used to satisfy the claim are secured and do not “disappear”.

Perhaps the biggest mistake that can be made in criminal proceedings, whatever the position, is not to consult an expert. Developing the right defence/prosecution strategy can easily lead to success, and failing to do so can lead to unforeseeable consequences. It may seem cliché, but it is not only what you say, but when, to whom and especially how you say it that can make the difference. Anyone who has practised criminal law has, on many occasions, encountered the situation where someone has made a statement before seeking the advice of a criminal lawyer and then, unfortunately, regretted it

To prevent this from happening to you, you should always consult an expert lawyer if you feel you need criminal law advice.

When else should you contact a lawyer?

  • if you have been the victim of a crime;
  • if you have to appear before an investigating authority (police);
  • if you or a family member has been arrested, charged or accused;
  • if you are not satisfied with any decision of the investigating authority, prosecutor or court.

When else should you contact a lawyer?

  • if you have been the victim of a crime;
  • if you have to appear before an investigating authority (police);
  • if you or a family member has been arrested, charged or accused;
  • if you are not satisfied with any decision of the investigating authority, prosecutor or court.

Remember: the sooner an expert sees the case, the more effectively risks and damages can be reduced.

Early intervention by a lawyer – even before the investigation stage – is a more effective way of defending yourself and pursuing your claim. Often a lawyer is not even instructed, since in simple cases a one-off consultation can be sufficient to explore and discuss the legal situation, so that the client can successfully achieve his or her goals on the basis of the advice given.

What should you do if you are arrested, if you want to be questioned as a suspect?

It is very important to consult a lawyer before making a statement! If you make a statement, anything you say or provide can be used as evidence – and contrary to popular belief, a statement cannot be withdrawn.

Until you have consulted a lawyer, you should refuse to testify!

Remember: the sooner an expert sees the case, the more effectively risks and damages can be reduced.

Early intervention by a lawyer – even before the investigation stage – is a more effective way of defending yourself and pursuing your claim. Often a lawyer is not even instructed, since in simple cases a one-off consultation can be sufficient to explore and discuss the legal situation, so that the client can successfully achieve his or her goals on the basis of the advice given.

What should you do if you are arrested, if you want to be questioned as a suspect?

It is very important to consult a lawyer before making a statement! If you make a statement, anything you say or provide can be used as evidence – and contrary to popular belief, a statement cannot be withdrawn.

Until you have consulted a lawyer, you should refuse to testify!

What does the lawyer do?

– They analyse the situation, helps you to define the goals to be achieved and the strategy to achieve them, and also acts to secure your rights.
– Ideally, a lawyer will handle your case with precision, excellence and attention, representing your interests.
– Ideally, they also work cost-effectively, taking care not only of the case but also of the other circumstances: saving their clients money and time.

If you need criminal law help, please contact me! You can call my office at any time (nights, weekends) for interrogation, search, arrest, detention and other urgent cases.

Have a question? Need legal help?
Please contact me!

Kapcsolati Űrlap EN

This website is maintained by Dr. János Lipovics, attorney-at-law, registered with the Budapest Bar Association, in accordance with the laws and internal regulations applicable to attorneys, which, together with information on client rights, can be found at www.magyarugyvedikamara.hu.

Contact

Dr. János Lipovics lawyer +36 30 773 4241 lipovics.janos@gmail.com HU-1031 Budapest, Tóga street 14. Ist floor. 7. Company/customer portal: 54992735

The information on the website is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information on the website was accurate at the time of publication but may now be out of date, despite our efforts to keep it up to date.

Contact

Dr. János Lipovics lawyer

+36 30 773 4241 lipovics.janos@gmail.com

HU-1031 Budapest, Tóga street 14. Ist floor 7.

Company/customer portal: 54992735

This website is maintained by Dr. János Lipovics, attorney-at-law, registered with the Budapest Bar Association, in accordance with the laws and internal regulations applicable to attorneys, which, together with information on client rights, can be found at www.magyarugyvedikamara.hu.

The information on the website is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information on the website was accurate at the time of publication but may now be out of date, despite our efforts to keep it up to date.