CRIMINAL DEFENCE
Criminal Defence Lawyer
Legal defence during detention, searches, notification of suspicion, pre-trial restraint proceedings and court hearings.
Kharkiv · Kyiv · Odesa
Since 2012
legal practice
Legal defence
at every stage of criminal proceedings
Confidential
attorney-client confidentiality
URGENT LEGAL ASSISTANCE
What happened?
In criminal proceedings, the first decisions can shape the entire defence strategy. Select the situation you are facing.
01
Search
Investigators are already at your home or office, or are seizing property.
What to do →
02
Detention
A person has been detained, taken to a law-enforcement unit or otherwise deprived of liberty.
Urgent defence →
03
Questioning
You have been summoned as a witness, victim or suspect.
Prepare →
04
Suspicion
You have been, or are about to be, formally notified of suspicion and need a defence strategy.
Build a defence →
CRIMINAL LAW PRACTICE
Cases We Handle
We defend suspects and accused persons and represent victims in criminal proceedings.
01Corruption and public-office offences→
02Economic and business offences→
03Property offences→
04Offences against life and health→
05Drug-related offences→
06Military criminal offences→
07Road traffic offences involving injury→
08Other criminal proceedings→
DEFENCE STRATEGY
Defence at Every Stage of Criminal Proceedings
01
Immediate response
Detention, search, summons by an investigator and receipt of procedural documents.
02
Pre-trial investigation
Analysis of evidence, participation in investigative actions and collection of defence evidence.
03
Suspicion and pre-trial restraint
Assessment of the suspicion and representation in proceedings concerning the imposition or modification of a pre-trial restraint measure.
04
Court proceedings
Examination of evidence, witness questioning, expert evidence and presentation of the defence position.
05
Review of decisions
Appeal and cassation proceedings where legal grounds exist.
DEFENCE POSITION
Why the Defence Starts Long Before Trial
A substantial part of the evidentiary record is formed during the pre-trial investigation: statements are recorded, searches and expert examinations are conducted, covert investigative actions are carried out, and documents and property may be seized.
A defence lawyer’s role is not merely to attend procedural actions. The defence must understand the prosecution’s theory, examine the origin and admissibility of evidence, document procedural violations, collect its own evidence and develop the defence position in advance.
The earlier a lawyer can assess the materials and circumstances of the proceedings, the more procedural tools may be available before the case is referred to court.
The defence examines
- lawfulness of detention
- grounds for and conduct of searches
- statements and procedural records
- expert opinions
- materials of covert investigative actions
- origin of evidence
- procedural violations
- admissibility of evidence
WHO WE REPRESENT
Defence and Representation in Criminal Proceedings
01
Suspect or accused person
- analysis of the suspicion and prosecution evidence
- development of the defence position
- participation in investigative actions
- representation in pre-trial restraint proceedings
- defence in court and challenges to judicial decisions
02
Victim
- representation in criminal proceedings
- procedural representation during the investigation
- preparation of motions and complaints
- collection and submission of evidence
- civil claim and recovery of damages
DEFENCE OBJECTIVES
Potential Outcomes of the Defence
The outcome depends on the facts and evidence of the particular case. Defence objectives are determined after analysing the specific criminal proceedings.
01Termination of criminal proceedings
02Amendment of a previously notified suspicion
03Reclassification of the alleged offence
04Modification of a pre-trial restraint measure
05Return of seized property
06Acquittal
07Minimisation of legal consequences
We do not guarantee a predetermined outcome. The defence strategy is based on the case materials, procedural circumstances and an achievable legal objective.
CASE EXPERIENCE
Criminal Cases from Our Practice
Anonymised examples of actual cases presented without disclosing attorney-client confidential information.
01
UNLAWFUL BENEFIT · ARTICLE 369 OF THE CRIMINAL CODE OF UKRAINE
Defence in proceedings concerning the provision of an unlawful benefit
Key issue: assessment of the prosecution evidence, materials of covert investigative actions and the circumstances in which the controlled commission of the offence was conducted.
02
CASE TO BE ADDED
Second criminal case
A case illustrating another category of allegation and a different procedural objective will be added here.
03
CASE TO BE ADDED
Third criminal case
Another type of criminal defence and a different outcome should be presented here.
CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER
Hennadii Laguta
Attorney · Managing Partner, MAGISTERS Attorneys Association
Legal practice since 2012. Defence in criminal proceedings during pre-trial investigation and in court, participation in investigative actions, analysis of evidence and procedural violations.
LEGAL INSIGHTS
Criminal Procedure Insights
This section connects the main service page with specialist criminal-law materials.
SEARCH
What a Lawyer Should Check During a Search
Existing or forthcoming article.
COVERT INVESTIGATIVE ACTIONS
Covert Investigative Actions and Admissibility of Evidence
Existing or forthcoming article.
PRE-TRIAL RESTRAINT
What the Court Considers When Imposing a Pre-Trial Restraint Measure
Existing or forthcoming article.
LEGAL FEES
Legal Fees
Fees depend on the stage of proceedings, complexity of the case, volume of materials, urgency and scope of work required.
Consultationby agreement
Urgent attendanceby agreement
Specific procedural actionafter assessment
Comprehensive defenceafter case review
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if a search has already started?
Do not physically obstruct the investigative action. Contact a lawyer, avoid giving explanations without legal advice where possible, and carefully record what happens and what is entered in the official record.
How quickly should I contact a lawyer?
Ideally, immediately after the first contact with law-enforcement authorities, particularly in the event of detention, a search, a summons for questioning or notification of suspicion.
Can I instruct my own lawyer if a defence lawyer has already been appointed?
The right to defence includes the ability to engage a lawyer of your choice. The precise procedure for participation of defence lawyers depends on the procedural circumstances.
Can criminal proceedings be terminated before trial?
Yes, where the grounds provided by law exist. Whether termination is possible must be assessed on the materials of the particular proceedings.
Can a pre-trial restraint measure be changed?
Yes. Where grounds exist, the defence may seek modification or cancellation of a pre-trial restraint measure and submit supporting evidence to the court.
Do you work outside Kharkiv?
Yes. Our principal practice locations are Kharkiv, Kyiv and Odesa; where necessary, a lawyer can also act in criminal proceedings in other regions of Ukraine.