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Go directly to contents.Criminal matters and legal proceedings
The processing of a criminal case consists of four stages:
- a pre-trial investigation
- consideration of charges
- court proceedings
- enforcement of the sentence.
The criminal investigation is carried out by a pre-trial investigation authority, usually the police. If the police conclude that an offence has been committed, the case is referred to a prosecutor for a consideration of charges. If the prosecutor decides to press charges, the matter is submitted to a district court for a solution.
Investigation of a criminal case
Anyone can report an offence. The police conduct a pre-trial investigation of the offence, and the prosecutor decides whether to bring charges.
Criminal proceedings
A district court begins to process a criminal case once the application for a summons has been received at the district court. They deliver a summons to the accused, inviting them to the main hearing.