Criminal Lawyer in Antalya

Being questioned by the police or accused of an offence in another country is stressful, and a criminal lawyer in Antalya can make sure your rights are respected from the first hour. We represent foreign nationals as suspects, defendants and victims, and we work in English, German, Russian, Arabic and Turkish.

Turkish criminal procedure moves quickly at the start. Statements given in custody, decisions on detention and travel bans are often made within a day or two. Contact a lawyer before you give a statement, and as early as possible after an incident.

How we can help

• Attending police and prosecutor statements and advising you before questioning
• Objecting to detention and requesting release or lighter judicial control measures
• Applications to lift or change a travel ban
• Following the investigation, reviewing evidence and submitting defence petitions
• Defence at trial, including hearings, witnesses and expert reports
• Appeals to the regional court of appeal (istinaf) and the Court of Cassation (Yargıtay)
• Filing criminal complaints and representing victims, including compensation claims
• Criminal mediation (uzlaşma) where the law allows it

Your rights in custody

The Criminal Procedure Code No. 5271 gives every suspect, Turkish or foreign, the same basic rights. If you are taken into custody:

• You have the right to remain silent. Staying silent cannot be used against you.
• You have the right to a lawyer of your choice. If you cannot choose one, a lawyer can be appointed through the bar association, and in some serious cases this is mandatory.
• You have the right to a free interpreter if you do not speak Turkish well enough.
• You can ask for a relative to be informed and, as a foreign national, for your consulate to be notified.
• Police custody is limited in time. For individual offences the general limit is 24 hours before you must be brought before a judge or released, with longer periods possible for offences committed jointly by several people.

Read any statement carefully before signing it, and do not sign a document you do not understand.

Detention, judicial control and travel bans

After questioning, the prosecutor may release you, ask the criminal judge of peace (sulh ceza hakimliği) to order judicial control, or ask for pre-trial detention. Judicial control can include an obligation to report to a police station, or a ban on leaving Turkey. For tourists and residents, a travel ban can be the most serious practical consequence of an investigation. Detention and judicial control decisions can be challenged by objection, and we can apply for them to be lifted when circumstances change.

How a criminal case works in Turkey

1. Complaint or police report: the case starts with a complaint, a police report or the prosecutor's own action.
2. Investigation: the public prosecutor's office at the Antalya courthouse collects evidence and takes statements. This stage is confidential to some extent, but your lawyer can follow it and make requests.
3. Decision: the prosecutor either decides not to prosecute or prepares an indictment. For some offences, mediation between the parties is tried first.
4. Trial: if the court accepts the indictment, hearings are held at the criminal court. You can be represented, and the court may hear you through an interpreter.
5. Judgment: the court may acquit, convict, or in some cases defer the announcement of the verdict (HAGB) or suspend the sentence.
6. Appeal: the judgment can be appealed to the regional court of appeal and, in certain cases, to the Court of Cassation. Appeal deadlines are short and counted from the judgment or its notification.

Fees are agreed in writing in advance and cannot be below the Union of Turkish Bar Associations' minimum fee tariff.

Common situations for foreigners

Many cases involving visitors and residents in Antalya arise from ordinary events: a fight or assault after an argument, online or rental fraud, theft, insult or threats, and traffic offences, including accidents causing injury or driving under the influence. Some of these offences can only be prosecuted if the victim files a complaint, and some can be resolved through mediation. Each situation is different, so we look at the facts before advising you on the options. For particularly serious accusations, see our serious crimes lawyer page.

A criminal case can also affect your residence permit or your right to stay. If this concerns you, see our residence permit lawyer page.

If you are a victim

If you were assaulted, defrauded or injured in an accident, you can file a complaint with the police or directly with the public prosecutor's office. For offences that require a complaint, a time limit applies, so do not wait. As a victim you can join the trial as an intervening party, submit evidence and appeal the decision. Claims for damages, for example after a traffic accident, are usually pursued separately; see our compensation lawyer page.

Frequently asked questions

The information on this page is general and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney–client relationship. Every case is different; please consult a lawyer before taking any legal step. This page is published in accordance with the Professional Rules of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations and the advertising ban for attorneys.