Criminal
The Criminal Code with prosecutor-led investigation after the 2010 reform
The Criminal Code and the 2010 Criminal Procedure Act govern offences and process, transferring the investigation from investigating judges to public prosecutors. Plea bargaining and diversion are available.
Key rules
- Public prosecutors conduct investigations, assisted by judicial police.
- Judges of preliminary proceedings authorise detention and special investigative measures.
- Negotiated pleas and sentence agreements are permitted and court-approved.
Governing law
- Criminal Code (Kazneni zakonik)
- Criminal Procedure Act (2010)
Penalties and consequences
- Imprisonment, including life imprisonment for the gravest offences.
- Fines, community service and suspended sentences.
In practice
Special investigative measures require judicial authorisation, and unlawfully obtained evidence has been a recurring litigation issue.